Keeping up with the Joneses isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. That is, unless the Joneses are saving money on utility bills costs, reducing their energy consumption, and taking a little pressure off your heating and cooling equipment – all without the slightest disturbance to their indoor comfort. Sound too good to be true? Actually, it’s a lot easier than you might think.

By adopting a few simple, energy-efficient practices you can realize substantial savings on your utility bills without forgoing the comfort and convenience you depend on. Here are 8 tips to do just that.

Know your energy usage.

One of the easiest ways to get a handle on your household’s energy usage is by having home energy audit performed. It’s a great way to determine how much energy you use on a regular basis, identify any problem areas, and plan for improvements.

Put windows to good use.

During cold weather months, keep window coverings open during the day to flood your home with natural light and warmth. Come sunset, close them to minimize heat loss. If your windows are older and drafty, install window insulation to keep cold air out. Once summer sets in, keep window coverings closed during the day to take some pressure off your AC system.

Close up gaps.

Inspect windows and exterior doors for air leaks and seal if necessary. This simple fix will help cut down on both heating and cooling costs.  Don’t forget to check around the chimney, in areas where plumbing,  ductwork, and electrical wiring comes through exterior walls of your home, and around kitchen, bathroom, and dryer vents.

Install a programmable thermostat.

If you’re still using an old fashioned thermostat, you’re missing out on some serious energy savings. With a programmable thermostat,  you can raise or lower the temperature automatically according to your personalized schedule. When no one is home or at night while everyone sleeps, lower the thermostat in the winter so you’re not paying to heat or cool an empty house.

Dress in layers.

Dressing in cozy layers will keep you warm on the coldest of days and allow you to turn down the thermostat a few degrees. Come summer, wear loose clothing made of natural, breathable fibers.

Reverse ceiling fan direction.

Sure, it provides a cooling breeze on a hot summer day, but a ceiling fan is not merely a warm-weather essential. During the winter, run your ceiling fan in reverse (that is, clockwise) to push warm air trapped by the ceiling down to the center of the room where you need it most.

Install motion sensor lights.

Tired of reminding your kids to turn the light off when they leave a room? Replace manual light switches with motion sensor lights and put an end to this battle once an for all. And don’t forget to swap out energy-hogging incandescent bulbs with efficient and long-lasting LED bulbs.

Schedule annual HVAC system maintenance.

One of the best ways to keep your heating and cooling equipment operating at peak efficiency, identify problems before they turn into costly repairs, and extend equipment life is with annual preventive maintenance.

And that’s where we come in – PC Plumbing, Heating, AC & Remodeling. One of our expert technicians will give your HVAC systems a thorough going-over to help ensure maximum performance and energy efficiency all year long. Call us today to schedule service.