It is hard to believe that winter will soon be heading to the Jacksonville area, and with it comes cooler temperatures with chilly nights and mornings. Instead of using your air conditioner non-stop, you will likely be using your furnace or other type of heater more often. The days are shorter, which means most people will be spending more time indoors and using more electricity. This means an increase in your home’s energy costs and a strain on your monthly budget in order to keep you and your family comfortable. However, there are steps you can take as a homeowner to save money on both your heat and AC in Jacksonville FL!
Tip #1 – Preventive Maintenance
All heating and ac Jacksonville FL contractors will tell you that the easiest way to keep the costs of heating and cooling your home throughout the entire year, not just the winter, is to have your system serviced twice a year. Preventive maintenance will keep your heater and air conditioner running at its optimal best, which means it will use less energy.
Having your system serviced twice a year will ensure that your heater and air conditioner is ready when you need it. This will also reduce the possibility of system breakdowns that can be costly, because minor problems can be identified during the maintenance service and resolved before they turn into bigger problems. In the long run, you will save money because heaters and air conditioners that are regularly maintained have a longer useful life span.
Always be sure to clean or replace your air filter every month on your heating and cooling system. This will maintain a proper level of airflow to your system, which will keep it from working harder than it needs to, and help keep your energy costs in check.
Tip #2 – Programmable Thermostats
Have a programmable thermostat installed in your home and make sure you are taking advantage of its programming features; otherwise, you may be missing out on energy savings. Just by setting your thermostat to reduce the heat in your home by 10 degrees while everyone is sleeping, or during the day when no one is at home, you may see a reduction in your heating costs of 10 to 20 percent.
Make sure that your thermostat is installed in a good location where it is not exposed to drafts or direct sunlight. This could in fact raise both your heating and cooling costs because the average temperature in your home will be misrepresented. If you need to have your thermostat moved, Snyder’s AC Jacksonville FL technicians are able to do so.
Tip #3 – Insulate Your Home
Insulation and caulk are an inexpensive way to save heating dollars in your home. A small investment in these materials may mean up to a 10 percent or more reduction in your heating costs. Today’s new homes are built airtight and are better insulated, but older homes may require some attention in this area. Make sure your crawl space, attic, or basement is insulated.
Be sure to seal any air leaks or cracks around windows or in wall corners with caulk to keep the warm air from escaping outdoors. Have your exposed ductwork sealed to prevent heat loss from your heater to your air vents.
This investment in your home will also save on costs for your summer use of your ac. Your air conditioner will not need to work as hard to keep up because the hot air from the outside will be stopped from leaking into your home.
Tip #4 – Layer Up
You can easily lessen the amount of heat needed to keep you warm in your home by putting more clothes on. Put on a sweater or sweatshirt if you feel chilly instead of running to turn the heat up. Wearing layers of clothing also helps retain your body’s heat, and if you start to feel too warm, just take a layer off.
Don’t forget your feet! If your feet are cold, then your entire body is going to feel cold also. Put on some socks. Remember that for every degree you can lower your thermostat, you are reducing your energy use by almost 3 percent.
