Energy costs have a huge impact on our household budget.
I’ve done the calculations & figured out that heating & cooling adds up to approximately 50% of the energy we consume.
The Winter time weather in our local area often lasts for eight months. The conditions are horribly cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping down to drawback twenty degrees. All of us rely heavily on the furnace. It runs just about non stop at maximum capacity. Although our summers don’t last for more than a few months, the temperature can get into the mid eighties with excessive humidity. All of us need the a/c to cool down the house, prevent mold growth, filter out contaminants & prevent condensation. I am careful about the temperature setting on the control unit. I know that raising or lowering temperature by a few degrees has a huge impact on our biweekly utility bills. I keep up with air filter changes for the furnace & a/c & schedule professional maintenance every year. A certified worker provides a thorough inspection, testing, cleaning & adjustment for the cooling method in the Springtime & the heating method in the fall. By keeping all components operating at their best, the equipment runs at peak capacity & efficiency. It is less likely to malfunction, provides better comfort & air quality & should last longer. Plus, professional maintenance fulfills the requirements of the manufacturer’s warranty coverage. To minimize the opportunity of drafts, air leaks & energy waste, I walk around the home at the end of every summer. I look for any spots that might require weatherstripping or caulking. I check the insulation in the attic for signs of rodent infestation. My hope is to reduce costs.