Winter is approaching, and so many people enjoy the fall and winter seasons with cooler temperatures by enjoying the beautiful colorful leaves, and spending more time outdoors by the fire pit with family and friends. However, these colder seasons can also present with some challenges for homeowners, including increased energy bills. With that said the team here at South Nashville Heating & Cooling want to share some simple tips to help homeowners lower energy bills without having to empty those wallets.
SIMPLE BUT PRACTICAL ENERGY SAVING TIPS
- Be aware of high peak electricity hours – Electricity providers have what is commonly referred to as ‘on peak hours’ when electricity is in very high demand. During these peak hours the cost of your home electricity will most assuredly increase. The peak periods are typically between the months of November and April and the time slots may vary. In order to save money during these peak hours you should cut back drastically on your electricity usage during these times. It is best to avoid using appliances that use a whole lot of energy such as washing machines, clothes dryers, electric ovens, water heaters, and space heaters to name some of the more common culprits. By minimizing their usage during peak times you are sure to see a difference in your electric bills.
- Lower the temperature on your water heater – During the fall and winter months, people tend to have more guests in their home, particularly because of the many holidays that occur during this time of year. When you have more people in your home, you tend to use a good deal more hot water. The best way to conserve energy and electricity at this time would be to lower the temperature on the water heater. Lowering the temperature by a good 10 degrees can outwardly reduce the overall amount of electricity that is being used in your household by up to 5%. This happens because the lower temperatures cut down on the energy usage your tank needs to refill, recover and keep sufficient water in the tank hot. We highly recommend keeping the temperature no higher than 120 degrees in your efforts to reduce energy and electricity usage.
- Invest in a programmable thermostat – During the daytime hours, when you are at work or away from home, make it a point to keep your thermostat set at 80 degrees. Once you return home, you can set the thermostat to a comfortable level. In the evening hours when the heat is on, set your thermostat to 64 degrees so that the furnace will only kick on while sleeping when the temperature falls below the 64-degree marker. It may not be such a simple task to perform if you continuously forget to adjust the thermostat, which is why we suggest you invest in a programmable thermostat for your home and family. A programmable thermostat allows you to set a temperature schedule that will automatically adjust throughout the day as per your settings. With many of the newer thermostats you can also make adjustments to your schedule while you are away from home. With a programmable thermostat you simply have to set your desired schedule once and the thermostat will act accordingly throughout the day and evening hours.
THE PROFESSIONALS YOU CAN COUNT ON
Here at South Nashville Heating & Cooling our team of dedicated technicians and specialists take pride in providing all our valued clients with the highest quality heating and cooling parts and services. For more information about ways to minimize electricity and energy usage, to learn more about programmable thermostats, or to schedule an installation, reach out to one of our team members today!
