The cold season brings tons of exciting activities and events, but it can also impact your wallet. From holiday lights to staying warm throughout harsh weather, many Des Moines families experience high energy bills. Luckily, there are easy ways to decrease your expenses and achieve lower utility bills.
Our team at Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling in Des Moines put together a list of ways you can save. Try them out and see lower utility bills this winter season.
1. Adjust your thermostat.
Program your thermostat to lower heating output during hours when you’re asleep or not home. Three to five percent more energy is used when your furnace is set above 68 degrees, so try keeping your home at 68 degrees when you’re at home and awake, and lower to 55-65 degrees at times when you’re away at work, out of town or sleeping to achieve lower utility bills.
2. Make sure you only wash when you have full loads.
Put off doing laundry until you can do full loads. This will help save money on water heating, water usage and on heat used for the dryer. You don’t want to do more laundry than actually needed, right? And, keep in mind: clearing out the lint trap after every load can save you up to $34 a year, according to PG&E.
3. Conduct a home energy audit.
A home energy audit can help you determine the places where your home is losing energy through leaks, drafts, or products and appliances that use extra energy. The assessment can explain how to save the most, including long- and short-term energy-saving solutions.
4. Properly seal your leaks.
From your HVAC ducts to attics, walls and windows, there are a number of areas in your home that may be letting in unwanted cold air. Simply cover windows with plastic, and add caulk or weatherstripping to seal leaks around doors and windows. Contact Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling to hear more about sealing your air ducts.
5. Use LED holiday lights.
One of the easiest ways to achieve lower utility bills is to switch out your older holiday lights for LED lights. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LEDs use less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 40 holiday seasons in Des Moines.
6. Install a high-efficiency furnace.
If you need to upgrade your furnace, consider an energy efficient furnace. Some systems can save up to $800 a year on annual heating bills over older furnaces. Or, if it’s not quite time for a replacement, remember to schedule a routine maintenance visit for your current system. A quick tune-up can help you achieve lower utility bills by making it easier for the system to work.
For more information on how you can achieve lower utility bills this winter, give Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling in Des Moines a call at 515-207-6569.