When it comes to saving money on energy costs, little things can add up to big savings. Follow these six easy tips to get a handle on your Northeast Ohio home’s energy consumption, and save money on your utility bills this winter.

  1. Maintain your HVAC system – Schedule a preventive tune-up by an HVAC professional to extend the life and improve the efficiency of your furnace. Replace your air filter every one to three months. A dirty filter impedes the flow of air to your furnace and makes it work harder to keep you comfortable. Keep the area around your furnace clean to help prevent damaging dust buildup inside.
  2. Insulate – Properly insulate your attic. Fiberglass insulation should be 11 inches thick, and loose fill should be 8 inches deep. Insulate your ducts, especially in areas that are unconditioned, such as crawl spaces and attics. Also insulate your hot water heater and its pipes as far as you can reach.
  3. Seal air leaks – Replace screens with storm windows. Apply caulk to gaps between stationary components of your doors and windows, and install weatherstripping between moving parts. Put precut foam gaskets behind switch plates on exterior walls. Caulk around pipes and vents that penetrate exterior walls, and check your ducts for loose connections and seal them with metal tape or mastic.
  4. Mind the thermostat – Install a programmable thermostat to save 10 percent on your energy bills. Set your thermostat two degrees lower than usual at night and when you’re away during the day.
  5. Buy Energy Star – Appliances with the Energy Star logo use less energy than non-Energy Star units. While Energy Star appliances cost more than their counterparts, the energy savings you enjoy will pay for the unit over time.
  6. Turn on your ceiling fans –  Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans. The blades will push warm air down and distribute it to the far corners of the room, making it feel several degrees warmer at lower thermostat settings.

Stack Heating & Cooling has served the greater Cleveland area with honesty and integrity since 1976. For more expert advice about lowering your utility bills, please feel free to contact us.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Cleveland, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about lowering your utility bills and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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