No matter what your energy habits are or how much money you pay each month in utilities in your Augusta, Georgia, home, chances are you wouldn’t mind a few extra bucks in your pocket. That’s why we’ve compiled a few tips to help you along the way. If you’re looking to lower your carbon footprint and cut energy costs, check out these five handy tips and hacks that are easy to follow and employ.
Sign up for an Annual Maintenance Plan
According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling accounts for 48 percent of home energy bills. Because such a huge portion of your energy usage goes toward these two aspects, it’s a great starting place to curb your energy usage. One way to do this is by signing up for an annual maintenance plan. With a plan like the Doc Savage Comfort Agreement maintenance plan, you get a bevy of benefits. Twice a year, one of our trained technicians will come out and inspect over a dozen components of your furnace or air conditioner. This ensures the longevity of your machine, better performance, and a chance to pinpoint any problems that could cost you money later on.
In addition to our tuneups, you also get added perks such as a 15 percent discount on repairs, a two-year warranty on all repairs, priority service, and no overtime charges, just to name a few. Plus, there’s nothing better than a little peace of mind.
Change Your Air Filter
Although we’ll change the air filter when we come for a tuneup, most manufacturers state that you should replace the filter every 30 to 90 days, especially during the coldest and warmest times of the year. By replacing the filter, you improve the air flow from the HVAC system to the ducts in your home while also removing harmful particulates. This vastly improves your home comfort and indoor air quality while causing less wear and tear on your HVAC system.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
If you have an old digital thermostat or an analog dinosaur, you’re overdue for a change to a smart thermostat. The thing that makes a smart thermostat so amazing is that it actually learns your behavior and changes its settings accordingly. To top it off, most smart thermostats also have Wi-Fi capabilities. Once you download the app to your phone, you can tweak your home temperature from anywhere in the world, provided you have an internet connection. To save you even more money and cut energy usage, the smart thermostat also provides monthly usage reports, as well as maintenance reminders.
Plant Some Trees
If you’ve been outside when it’s blistering hot, you naturally gravitate toward the shade. What’s more interesting is that if you apply the same principle to your home, you’ll save tons of cash on energy bills during warmer months. The sun’s rays can’t get directly to your home, and as a result, it doesn’t warm up nearly as quickly. It may take a while for the trees to grow to the proper height, but even if you start with saplings, you’ll see the energy savings in just a few years. In addition, you’ll have some lovely landscaping that adds value and curb appeal to your home.
Choose the Right Air Conditioner
Most air conditioners only last 10 to 15 years, and even well-maintained units aren’t guaranteed to last longer than 20 years. After that, it’s time to consider a new unit, but choosing the right one isn’t always so easy. Many homeowners try to overcompensate by buying the largest unit available, but bigger isn’t always better. When an air conditioner is too massive for a home, it constantly cycles on and off as it only takes a short time to cool the home, but the home isn’t dehumidified.
An air conditioner that’s too small is no better. It runs constantly all day as it tries to provide the comfort you need. This drains energy, leaving you to hold the bill at the end. Instead of going one of these directions, let us calculate the load capacity you need. This will ensure that you find the perfect air conditioner for your home.
By following these tips and hacks, you’ve positioned yourself to save tons of money each year on energy costs. If you need help to make this plan reality, don’t hesitate to call Doc Savage Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc and schedule an appointment. Reach out to us today at 706-426-9262.
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