Tips to Keep Your Home Warm and Your Utility Cost Low

Follow these easy tips to keep your toes warm this winter! As we are seeing some single digit temperatures, we want to make sure that we are staying cozy, but also not breaking the bank. Follow these simple steps to ensure you home is comfortable and your utility bill is not breaking the bank!

• Service your HVAC unit. Here in the south, most of us have heat pumps. These units must run auxiliary heat to maintain a comfortable home in very low temperatures. The unit has to work to make up for the huge temperature difference from outdoors and the set temperature. TIP: One of the biggest and most costly mistakes homeowners can make is forgetting to have their HVAC unit serviced every year (preferably twice, in the spring and fall).

• Invest in a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats make it easier for you to maintain a comfy home when you are home and not wasting money when you are away! We recommend setting your temperature back a few degrees when away at work or in bed. This can help save money on your utility bill. Bonus, many programmable thermostats have apps that you can control from your phone! You can check the temperature of the house and adjust, if needed.

• Check your doors and windows. Check the exterior doors, including the door to your garage, to ensure that the weatherstripping goes all the way around. Step back, if you see light, you are losing hard earned energy! Check your windows for light around the edges and add weatherstripping and caulk where needed. Hop over to the home improvement store and get some caulk and weatherstripping to SAVE! Check out this link to see how!

• Keep the water hot, efficiently. Many water heaters are in uninsulated areas such as the attic, basement, or garage. Be sure to pick up an insulation jacket and pipe insulation from the home improvement store. Spending a few bucks can help the hot water stay hot longer in the uninsulated space, thus saving you money! TIP: Wash dishes and clothes later at night to avoid paying a peak premium from the utility company.

• Dress appropriately. It is winter. It is not the time for shorts and t-shirts. Wear fuzzy socks and sweaters to stay warmer. Drink hot tea and settle in with a blanket. If you are bundled up, you can comfortably lower the temperature in the house, saving you more money!

Finally, call us to have an energy audit done on the home. This can provide you with a comprehensive look at the home and show you secrets you may not know! Save an average of 20% on your utility costs and have a cozy home every winter!