Energy Bills – 5 Tips to Reduce Your Utility Bills in Any Season

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, almost 50 percent of a typical home’s utility bill is attributed to heating and air conditioning, 30 percent to appliances and lighting, and 20 percent to the water heater and refrigerator. This equates to almost $1,500 in energy bills for a typical household.

Following are ways to reduce your utility bills:

Tune it. A pre-season tune-up and filter is a good investment for removing dirty air that clogs your HVAC system, improving airflow and helping your system run efficiently. A tune-up also reduces the chances of an HVAC breakdown in mid-winter and improves safety. Keeping your system running at peak efficiency equates to less energy use and lower utility bills.

Upgrade it. If your HVAC system is older than 10 years, it may be time for an upgrade. Installing a new, high-efficiency system that uses non-ozone depleting refrigerant can reduce your annual heating and cooling costs from by 30 to 50 percent. Installing a new system can pay for itself in what you save.

Replace it. When purchasing new appliances, electronics and lighting, save money on your utility bill and help the environment by purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified products. Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR have the highest rating a product can earn for energy efficiency. When replacing light bulbs, be sure to use ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs which are known to use 75 percent less energy than standard bulbs and last up to 10 times longer.

Insulate it. Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes. Check the insulation in your attic, crawlspaces, and any hard-to-reach spaces that tend to be the biggest energy loss areas. Look for gaps in the insulation and areas with inadequate coverage. Adding another layer of insulation can make your home more comfortable by maintaining a uniform temperature throughout your house and can make a noticeable difference on your energy bill.

More: continued here