Your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) system works hard to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. As a result you probably experience some pretty high utility bills. There are so many ways that you can make your home more energy efficient and thus lower your utility bills. At the same time you will help to conserve energy which helps our environment.
Programmable Thermostats
Installing a programmable thermostat or knowing how to effectively use the one you already have is one of the best ways to save energy and money. Programmable thermostats are made to have setting by which you can program when you want your heat or air to increase or decrease its temperature. For example, overnight is a common time when homeowners turn their heat down by a degree or two, such as to 68 degrees. If you have warn pajamas and a warm blanket then 68 degrees is a very comfortable temperature. I would suggest lowering it even more and programming your thermostat to increase the temperature just before you wake up in the morning. You can follow the same plan for hours that you are not at home and program the thermostat to increase its temperature just before you come home from work. It's truly amazing how much you can save. In fact, it is estimated that you can save about $180 a year by properly setting your programmable thermostats and maintaining those settings.
Humidifier Settings
Every HVAC system should have a humidifier. It isn't enough to have a humidifier though, it must be set to the proper settings so that it can be energy efficient and work to save you money. For example, if your humidifier is set too high during the summer then your home will feel hotter then it should and thus make your air conditioner work harder, costing you more money and using more energy then really needed. The recommended average setting is 35% and you will have to make slight adjustments according to the changes in the weather. Your humidifier should have recommended settings according to the outside temperature.
Following these tips for decreasing your utility bills and energy outputs will really save you money. Take the time to figure out the proper settings for your home and it will really pay off!
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Miriam Tatelbaum is a content writer for Networx.com
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