3 Habits that Can Lower Energy Costs at Home

When the weather in Tinley Park, Illinois, reaches extreme levels, your HVAC system has to work harder to maintain home comfort. As a result, your energy bills go up. If you want to keep your utility bills low, you should adopt certain habits to make your HVAC system and home more energy-efficient. Here are three habits that can help you save on energy costs at home:

Use Energy-Efficient Lights

If you’re still using traditional incandescent light bulbs, replace them with CFL or LED bulbs. According to the Department of Energy, an LED bulb uses up to 25 percent less energy and can last up to 25 times longer than an incandescent bulb. Lighting accounts for about 5 percent of the energy consumption in an average American household. Therefore, it’s definitely worthwhile to invest in energy-efficient lights.

Clean or Change Your Air Filter Regularly

The air filter in your HVAC unit serves the important task of preventing dirt, dust and other contaminants from getting into your living space. However, if it’s dirty, it can block airflow and put extra strain on your air conditioner. As a result, it’ll lead to higher energy consumption. Make it a habit to replace your filter at least once every three months. If you have pets in your home, you may have to perform this task more often.

Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat

Energy Star estimated that a properly managed programmable thermostat can lower your energy costs by about $180 a year. A programmable thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature levels in your home according to a preset schedule. So you can program your thermostat to shut down your HVAC system when nobody is at home or turn the temperature up or down while you’re sleeping. This allows you to achieve the perfect balance between comfort and energy savings. As a result, you’ll save money on your heating and cooling costs.

Besides helping you save money, lowering your energy consumption also enables you to do your part to protect the environment. If you want to know how to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, contact Climate Master Mechanical Contractors, Inc. at 708-597-5470.

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