7 Easy Tips to Save Money on Your Heating and Cooling Bills this Spring
Spring has sprung in Maryland. The weather is dipping from chilly mornings to hot afternoons and ending with cold nights. Homeowners are struggling to stay comfortable in their homes all day without constantly switching on the heat, the AC, and the fan. Now is when energy bills start to spike before the heat wave of Summer.
If you’re looking for easy ways to save money on heating and cooling bills this spring, we’ve got the top 7 tips for you. Dive into HVAC maintenance tips you can do at home, energy savings habits, and a few extra bonus tips from our professionals.
How to Save Money on Energy Bills This Spring
1. Clean Air Filters as Part of Your Spring Cleaning
Clogged HVAC units don’t work as efficiently as maintained HVAC units. To save money on heating and cooling bills this spring, check your home air filters during your spring cleaning checklist.
Home air filters should be changed roughly every 3 months or once a season. This will help get rid of the pollen, allergens, dust, pet hair, dander, and more that clog your air filter. When your air filter is clean, you have better heating and cooling efficiency.
2. Upgrade to a Smart or Programmable Thermostat
If you want to set it and forget it, a programmable or smart thermostat is one of the best tips to save money on heating and cooling bills in spring. Smart thermostats can dramatically help reduce the energy you’re consuming while keeping your home at a comfortable level all day, despite fluctuating temperatures.
Based on your preferences, ask your local HVAC company to install a new thermostat. Smart and programmable thermostats allow you to set the temperature differently for each part of the day. You can opt into energy-saving habits, limits, and more to further reduce your energy consumption, all without having to constantly maintain the thermostat throughout the day.
Bonus – access your thermostat settings directly from your smart phone to help with climate control even when you’re at work or on the road.
3. Use Your Windows
Your windows are one of your best assets in helping with energy savings this Spring. Open your blinds to allow the sun to naturally warm your home, perfect for preparing for the night time chill. Open windows to let in a natural breeze that will circulate and cool down during the day.
By using your windows you can both cool your home during the day and pre-heat it for the evening without needing to tamper with your thermostat. If you’re worried about circulating the cool air, jump down to our next tip, using fans throughout your home.
4. Use Fans
Ceiling fans, box fans, and small personal fans are a great way to move natural air throughout your home. While the sun can provide a nice heat that lingers, fans will circulate the chill breezes that naturally cool down your home.
Turning on each ceiling fan in your most used rooms or using other fans is a great low-energy way to let your home naturally cool down. This costs much less than using your HVAC unit throughout the day. And they’re cheaper than AC window units, so you can put off installing those for a few more weeks until the heat of summer really hits.
5. Check for Leaks Around Seals
To ensure you’re not losing climate control efficiency, you want to check around your windows and HVAC ducts for loose gaps or broken seals. Seals and leaks in the windows can allow cold air to get in at night and cool air to escape during the day.
Gaps and leaks around your ductwork can cause your HVAC air to be leaking air before it gets to each room, pushing out more energy to properly cool the house. Stay on top of regular home and HVAC maintenance to help save money on heating and cooling this spring.
6. Get a Yearly HVAC Tune-Up
A well-maintained HVAC unit is the best way to save money this spring. Inevitably, you’ll need to kick on the heating and cooling for proper climate control and you want the best performance possible. Professional HVAC companies in Maryland can perform an inspection and quote a maintenance plan to help with home climate control.
When your unit is operating at peak performance, you save money and reduce the risk of unexpected repair costs. Schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment today to get started.
Bonus Energy Saving Tips:
- Lower your water heater temperature to reduce unnecessary heating costs
- Install energy-efficient light bulbs wherever applicable in your home
- Invest in energy-efficient appliances when upgrading to help reduce energy usage
- Use eco-friendly power strips that don’t constantly pull power
- Unplug electronics when they’re not in use
Save Money on Energy Bills Today
Home energy savings are easier than you might think! With these seven easy tips, you can prevent your home from using too much energy as the temperatures start to rise. Staying on top of maintenance, spring cleaning, and general energy usage will dramatically improve your home’s energy bills.
If you’re ready to upgrade your HVAC unit or thermostat to see even more savings, contact ASC HVAC in Maryland today. Let’s get your home ready for springtime.