How to Save Money on Heating & Cooling

With gas and electric costs constantly on the rise, heating and cooling your home is more expensive than ever. The website Energy Hog reports that a typical American family spends about $2,200 a year on such bills. There are adjustments you can make to your home, that will reduce your energy consumption. These changes can help save you a good amount of money on your utility bills year-round.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Run ceiling fans during the summer and winter months. Every ceiling fan allows you to adjust which direction it turns. In the standard mode, the ceiling fan will redirect cold air back down to ground level, cooling off your home. By reversing the direction of the blades during the winter, the fan pushes hot air back down. Ceiling fans let your central air and/or heating systems work less, saving energy.

2. Place plastic wrap on windows during the winter (and summer if you don't open them). Many windows will allow small amounts of air to enter and exit the home. The plastic wrap seals the windows which helps to keep your preferred temperature in your home.

3. Set your thermostat to one temperature during the day and keep it at that temperature. When you change your thermostat in either direction several times, your heating or cooling system must first kick back on before it begins working. This eats up more energy which will increase your bills.

4. Turn your thermostat down at night during the winter. When you go to bed, you can put on warm pajamas and curl up under an assortment of blankets. These small actions will give your heating system a break. A good rule of thumb is to turn your thermostat down two degrees at night.

5. Close off any rooms that have a window air conditioner. Many people in smaller apartments use these instead of central air. Unfortunately, a window air conditioner only cools that one particular room. If you leave the door open, all you're doing is letting the cold air escape.

6. Replace both air conditioner and furnace filters whenever necessary. Dirty filters cause your system to work harder since the air isn't going all the way through. It is suggested that you inspect these filters once a month to see if they need a change.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear more clothes in the winter and less in the summer while indoors. This is probably the easiest thing you can do to save money on heating and cooling. During colder months, put on sweatpants and sweatshirts once you enter the home. In the summer, strip down to nothing more than a pair of shorts and a tank top or other sleeveless shirt. Doing these things keeps your body at a comfortable temperature, allowing you to use less energy.

• Don't change the temperature on your thermostat when you leave your home unless you're going to be gone for a long period of time (days or weeks). Leave it at the set temperature so your system can rest. Doing so will save energy.

Resources

• Energy Hog website