As temperatures dip around the Ocala area, thoughts turn from cooling to heating, but no matter the season, the majority of your energy bill each months goes toward keeping the temperature in your home at a comfortable level. Here are some energy-saving tips to help bring those bills down, some of which are free, others inexpensive, and some larger investments that pay off over time.
Free and Easy
- During the late fall and winter, set your programmable thermostat to 68 degrees for times you are home or awake, and several degrees lower while you’re asleep or away; each degree you lower the thermostat will save about 2 percent on your heating bill.
- Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees; in addition to lowering energy costs, this temperature will also prevent scalding.
- Leave window coverings on south-facing windows open during the day to take advantage of solar heating, closing them at night to keep the heat inside.
- Ensure that all supply and return registers are open, and unobstructed by furniture or draperies.
Inexpensive Energy-Saving Tips
- Seal leaks around doors and windows with caulking or weatherstripping.
- Inspect and seal leaky ductwork using duct mastic or foil backed tape to prevent conditioned air from escaping and cooler air from being drawn in.
- Replace your air filter once a month during peak heating season, to allow maximum airflow and efficiency.
Long-Term Investments
- Increase insulation levels in the attic, to prevent heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer; aim for an R-value between R-49 and R-60; while you’re up there, be sure to seal and insulate the attic hatch.
- Schedule annual preventive maintenance in the spring and fall, to keep your HVAC system running effectively and efficiently, and to prevent big repairs down the road.
- Replace inefficient or worn-out appliances with those sporting the Energy Star label; these appliances are proven to be more energy efficient than their counterparts.
For more energy-saving tips, give us a call at Sun Kool Air Conditioning, Inc., proudly serving residents in Ocala and the surrounding area.
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