Applying tips to help save energy reduce your home’s energy bills quickly and for the long term. Spending less on energy doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort or convenience as these seven tips show:
- If you haven’t already, switch your lighting to CFL or LED bulbs. These use far less energy than incandescent bulbs and last much longer. Choose LED bulbs for rooms where you tend to shut the lights off frequently, like closets or bathrooms. CFL bulbs wear out faster if they’re constantly being turned on and off. This action doesn’t affect LED bulbs.
- Wrap your older water heater with an insulating blanket (newer models usually come pre-insulated). These blankets or jackets are available at home centers and will stop some of the standby losses from the tank, especially in the winter. Turn the temperature down to 120 degrees F to keep the wiring cooler, reduce the potential for scalding, and save on energy. Follow the directions carefully if you’re using a gas water heater, or ask a professional to do it for you.
- Install a programmable thermostat for dependable energy saving help. It’s easy to leave home without setting the temperature back, and considering that the HVAC system in your home uses the most energy of any other appliance, this tip helps you save money every day.
- Check the air filters for your home’s HVAC system monthly and change when dirty. You’ll prolong your system’s life, lower your energy bills and breathe cleaner air. When replacing, get the precise size you need. Dirty filters slow the airflow through the system and lengthen the time your system has to run.
- Run full loads in your dishwasher and turn off the drying cycle.
- Get in the habit of pulling the plugs on the chargers for your portable devices. Many of those chargers draw power, even when the device’s battery is full or has been disconnected from the device.
- Wash and dry only full loads of clothes.
For more energy saving help with your HVAC system or water heater, please contact us at James Lane Air Conditioning & Plumbing today, serving homeowners in the Wichita Falls area since 1957.
