Everyone wants to lower their electric bill, but few are willing to sacrifice their comfort to do so. The truth is, you probably don’t have to go to such extremes as living without AC or taking ice cold showers to save money. Cutting down on energy can be much simpler. Here are five big energy wasters you may be doing and have not even been aware of:
Air Leakage
Cracks and crevices in your home allow air to escape. This problem occurs more often in older homes that were not built to be as airtight as newer homes are. Fortunately, it’s a quick fix. Filling crevices around doors and windows with caulk or foam will help you keep the cool air in your home and the hot air out (or the other way around if it’s cold outside).
Air can also leak from your air ducts if they are not properly sealed. A professional technician can seal your ducts to make sure the air running through them is getting to you and not being wasted.
Outdated HVAC Equipment and Other Appliances
Your HVAC system uses a lot of energy to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. In Florida, the summer months can make for especially high electricity bills due to how much energy it takes to fight the heat. If your HVAC is old, it may not be working as efficiently as it used to. But even in its prime, you old AC probably never ran as well as one built with today’s newer technology does. Having a new HVAC installed may be the key to saving energy in your home.
Other appliances, such as microwaves, refrigerators and dryers should also be replaced with newer models to reduce energy use.
Incandescent Light Bulbs
Traditional incandescent light bulbs have almost become a rarity with the all the new types of more energy efficient bulbs on the market today. However, you might still have a few incandescent light bulbs lingering if you live in an old home or you haven’t changed your bulbs out in a while. CFL and LED light bulbs are easy to find and the money you will save by using them will be well worth the purchase.
Vampire Devices
These aptly named devices consume energy even when they are not being used. Just because your computer charger, phone charger, microwave and coffee maker aren’t in use, they are still sucking energy as long as they are plugged in. This energy waster may have simplest solution of all — just unplug the cords to devices that you aren’t using!
Lack of HVAC Maintenance
Your HVAC system requires regular maintenance to keep running at peak performance. By having a professional technician maintenance your AC Unit once or twice a year, you can greatly increase your system’s efficiency. It is also important to change your air conditioner filter every month or to make sure your AC isn’t working harder than necessary to push air through it.
Don’t let your HVAC system be the cause of you expensive energy bills. Whether you need a new unit installed or maintenance on the one you have, Engineered Air can help. Visit our website today to learn more about how we can help you save energy!
