10 Ways to $ave on your Energy Bill in 2017!

​Whether you own or rent a home, every month you get hit with a ton of bills, from mortgage or rent payments to cell phone bills. It seems like the bills are never-ending, and the cost only seems to increase. How do you save money in 2017? One great place to start is being smarter with your energy usage.

There are many ways to save on your energy bill, including everything from tuning up your furnace to turning your house into a smart home. Let's explore 10 ways to reduce your energy bill for MAJOR cost savings.
 

Tip #1: LOWER the Temperature

​Heating and cooling your home accounts for about half of your energy costs. You can lower your energy costs without freezing in the winter or melting in the summer, though. During the winter, lower the temperature by a few degrees, but stay warm by investing in flannel sheets and thick comforters.
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In the summertime, you can decrease your air conditioner usage by using fans to circulate the air in your home. Also, don't forget to adjust the thermostat when you're at work or going away on vacation. Taking these easy steps will lower your energy and help you increase the money in your pocket. 

Tip #2: Make your Home SMART 

With devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home, creating a smart home has never been easier! These devices can control your lights, fans, switches, thermostats, and more when connected to compatible devices. The best part is that you can even control everything when you're away from home. Forgetting to turn off your lights or adjusting your thermostat is a thing of the past.
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Roberts Heating has some great cost-saving tips and additional ideas on how to turn your home into a smart home. Another good investment is a smart thermostat. These devices establish usage patterns and preferences, and they can cut cooling costs by 15 percent and reduce heating usage by up to 12 percent. A smart home is a frugal home!

Tip #3: SEAL it up

Don't let money fall through the cracks. Make sure that every window and door is correctly sealed. It's easy to purchase and apply caulk, weather-stripping, or foam sealant to seal cracks. Taking these steps will help you to cool and heat your home more efficiently. 

Tip #4: Turn it OFF

Leaving lights and ceiling fans on when you're not in the room is a bad habit. We all leave the TV on when we take a call or go to the kitchen, but it's a complete waste not to turn off lights, fans, and electronics when you aren't actively using them. Fully turn off electronics that go into standby mode, such as computers and printers, because they still draw electricity when in standby.

Tip #5: LIGHTen up with LEDS

Gone are the days where you are stuck with energy burning incandescent bulbs that you constantly have to replace. LED light bulbs have changed the game by using 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer! One LED bulb can last up to 13 years or more and will definitely reduce your energy bill! 

Tip #6: Tune Up for the SEASON

When the seasons change, make sure that your heating and air conditioning units are in good working condition in order to avoid costly emergency repairs. Arrange for a pre-season tuneup by an HVAC professional. These technicians can identify leaks in your ductwork, intake blockages, mechanical failings, electronic issues, and other concerns that drive up your energy costs.

Tip #7: REPLACE Filters

We all procrastinate when it comes to replacing our air filters, but did you know that dirty air filters restrict airflow and cause your HVAC unit to use more energy? The United States Department of Energy reports that changing your HVAC filter can improve the efficiency of your HVAC system by up to 15 percent. We recommend changing your filters once a month. Disposable air filters can add up, especially when you start purchasing them monthly, so we recommend purchasing permanent air filters that you clean and reuse.

Tip #8: UPGRADE Appliances 

Replacing your old appliances can cut your energy bill more than you would think. By investing in Energy Star-certified dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators, you can reduce your energy bill dramatically. For example, Energy Star refrigerators use 50 percent less energy than those manufactured 15 years ago and 15 percent less than current fridges without Energy Star certification. The same goes for other Energy Star appliances. By upgrading your old appliances to energy-efficient appliances, you can cut costs.

​Tip #9: UNPLUG Electronics

Leaving phone chargers and other devices plugged in still uses some electricity and thereby drives up your energy bill. By unplugging your devices, you ensure that no energy is used. We recommend using a power strip to turn all devices off at once. 

Tip #10: HOLIDAY Energy Conservation

The holidays are the best time to be home with your family, but they're also a time of high energy usage. Leaving indoor and outdoor lights on for hours can impact your energy bill. If you decorate with LED holiday lights, you'll use at least 75 percent less energy than you would with incandescent lighting.

Another way to cut costs is to set a timer on the lights outside and on your tree. You can set them to turn off automatically at your preferred time. You can also control smart holiday lights from your mobile device.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to save money on your energy bill, from turning your house into a smart home to reducing your heating and cooling needs. By following our 10 energy-saving tips, you'll be on your way to saving money on your energy bill.