How to slash your heating bill this winter

Did you know, in the United States we spend more than $160 billion a year to heat, cool, light, and live in our homes? WOW! That is a significant amount of money. This amount represents about 21% of the national total of rising energy costs.

Rising Energy Costs

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration the projected temperature this winter will be 3.2% COLDER than last year. With the colder temperatures and higher heating costs American’s heating bills are expected to increase by as much as 48%, according to the Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration.

How can you Save Money by using "GREEN" technology?Geothermal Information

By simply utilizing the renewable energy that is provided from solar sunlight or from the earth as geothermal energy. Remember, it's all FREE energy just waiting to be captured and harnessed for the use in your home.

How can you decrease your home's energy consumption?

Seal & Insulate the “shell” of your home to save up to 20% on your heating & cooling energy costs. This is equivalent to 10% off your total annual energy bills. Sealing & insulating your home is the most effective way to improve your energy efficiency and make your home more comfortable. These changes can include replacing windows and insulation.

Maintaining your heating & air conditioning equipment is another effective way to cut your energy costs. 

- Change your air filter regularly, at least every 3 months.  A dirty filter slows the air flow making your system work harder to blow out the cool or warm air.

- Have your equipment checked yearly by a HVAC professional.

- Use a programmable thermostat. This allows you to turn the temperature back during the week when you are not home. By doing this you can save up to $180 a year on your energy bills.

- Have a Whole Home Comfort Check-Up completed to make sure your ductwork and home are sealed. This check will show you exactly where your home and ductwork has air leaks.  Both of these make your furnace work harder to keep your home comfortable.

- Finally, when changing out your heating and cooling system consider an Energy Star system.  An Energy Star system can save you up to $200 a year on your energy costs. However, before you change out your system you should make sure to have the Whole Home Comfort Check-Up completed to make sure your home and ductwork are properly sealed, and there are no air leaks causing your system to work harder.