The winter months bring a bunch of enjoyable activities and events, but it can also impact your wallet. From holiday lights to maintaining a warm home throughout harsh weather, many Laguna Niguel families have high energy bills. Luckily, there are easy ways to cut back your expenses and achieve lower utility bills.
Our professionals at Ocean Air Conditioning and Heating in Laguna Niguel put together a list of ways you can save. Try them out and see lower utility bills this winter season.
1. Adjust your thermostat.
Change your thermostat to lower heating output during hours when you’re asleep or not home. Three to five percent more energy is required when your furnace is set above 68 degrees, so try keeping your home at 68 degrees when you’re at home and awake, and reduce the temperature 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.
Don’t do laundry until you can run full loads. This will help save money on water heating, water usage and on heat required for the dryer. You don’t want to do more laundry than you have to anyway, right? And, remember: 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 find the spots where your home is losing energy through leaks, drafts, or products and appliances that use excess energy. The assessment can show you how to save on energy expenses, including long- and short-term energy-saving possibilities.
4. Properly seal your leaks.
From your heating and cooling ducts to attics, walls and windows, there are a number of areas in your home that may be letting in unwanted cold air. Simply tape heavy plastic over the windows, and add caulk or weatherstripping to seal leaks around doors and windows. Contact Ocean Air Conditioning and Heating to learn more about sealing your air ducts.
5. Use LED holiday lights.
One easy way to receive lower utility bills is to switch out your less efficient holiday lights for LED lights. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, these energy efficient lights use less energy than incandescent bulbs and can work for nearly 40 holiday seasons in Laguna Niguel.
6. Install a high-efficiency furnace.
If you need to upgrade your furnace, think about purchasing an energy efficient furnace. Some systems can save hundreds of dollars a year on annual heating bills compared to 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 Ocean Air Conditioning and Heating in Laguna Niguel a call at 949-317-4175.