As the holiday season comes knocking, it’s important to understand that there’s nothing inexpensive about holidays. You might spend a lot of money on parties, presents, and traveling, but the high energy bill is the one that you’ll feel most. The high bill results from the light displays, increased heating needs, and time spent indoors. If you’re interested in reducing your energy bill this holiday season, check out these ways to save energy.
1. Get a Furnace Tune-Up
Since winter is around the corner during this holiday season, heating your home will be the first culprit to high energy bills. However, it’s also the one place you could save more on energy consumption. Therefore, it’s imperative that you have a professional such as Eck Services check on the efficiency of your furnace. Having a well-maintained furnace will ensure that it’s working properly while being in a good working condition will help maintain its efficiency. Our technicians will clean the air filters and replace any defective parts. They can also advise on the frequency of changing the air filters depending on your location.
2. Install a Programmable Thermostat
The best way to save energy during the winter is by installing a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat is a device used to set your home’s temperature according to your preferences. A programmable thermostat allows you to use the energy most effectively. It also helps you conserve energy and get the best out of your money.
You simply turn it on and set the temperature to your liking. It will then automatically lower the temperature when you’re away from home and switch to the desired temperature when you return home. You can also specify the schedule of turning the thermostat on and off. You can set the temperature to switch on your lights automatically, too. Your air conditioner will switch on when the temperature is cooler.
3. Use the Most Efficient Appliance for the Job
To save the most energy during the holiday season, it’s vital to have the most energy-efficient appliances. Consider the appliance you need to be used, and pick the one that will consume the least energy. For example, a microwave oven consumes less energy than an oven used to heat food. Also, consider the amount of energy that the appliance will use.
If you don’t have to cook a lot, you might consider cooking with a stove instead of an oven. The stove will consume less energy and will still be able to cook your food satisfactorily. Additionally, avoid opening the oven when cooking. Once you open the oven door, the temperature reduces by up to 25%. However, you can open the door once you’re through with cooking for the heat to warm up your home.
4. Seal Any Gaps
During the winter holiday season, you must make sure that the areas in the home where warm air can escape are correctly sealed. The cold air entering your house will be drawn in through cracks and air holes. Therefore, you must seal every crack and air hole in and around your home. A simple air sealer can help you achieve this. If you have any larger gaps, it’s advisable that you contact a professional such as Eck Services in Hutchinson.
5. Weatherproof Your Windows
During the winter season, it’s essential to weatherproof your windows. The cold air entering your home will condense on the windows and eventually leak through them. Therefore, it would help if you used weather-strips. Weather-strips are strips of rubber placed on the window frame to ensure that no air can enter from the outside. They also prevent water from entering your home.
Furthermore, you can also use caulking to seal all the gaps in the window frame. Consider having the windows cleaned two or three times a year for the best results. This will prevent any moisture from building up in the frame. You may also install energy-efficient windows to reduce energy costs.
6. Let There Be Light
Although we’re getting into winter, this doesn’t mean there won’t be enough sunlight. Take advantage of the few hours of sunlight this season. The sunlight has the power to warm up and brighten your home. Thus, you should open the blinds and remove any objects near windows that could hinder the sunlight. The light from the sun will substitute bulbs to light up your home. This will help to reduce energy costs and will help you save money.
7. Use Power Strips to Power Holiday Decorations
When decorating your home for the winter, don’t forget to use power strips for all your bulbs and Christmas lights. Power strips are compact devices that can be used to power multiple devices. This way, you will be able to save a lot of money on your energy bills during the holiday. You should also consider the kind of bulbs you will be using during the holiday season. For example, they should be of a type that consumes little energy. Additionally, you can consider getting LED bulbs. These bulbs consume less energy when compared to traditional light bulbs.
8. Consider Solar Energy
If your home is in a location that gets a lot of sun during the day, you can consider installing solar panels. When you install solar panels, they will help you generate power during the day. You can then use the power generated during the day to power your home. The electricity that you use will be cheaper than your average electricity bill. You can also use the energy generated to power your home appliances. Moreover, you can store this power in batteries and use it when needed.
9. Create an Energy Checklist
As the holiday season approaches, you should make an energy checklist. Make sure that you’re aware of the energy-saving measures you can take. The inventory should include all the devices that can be used to cut down on energy costs. Such devices include energy-efficient light bulbs, air sealing, power strips and so forth. On this checklist, you should also include all the appliances you use at home. Each piece of equipment should have a corresponding checklist of the energy-saving techniques that can cut down on energy costs. At Eck Services, we can help you create an energy checklist.
10. Turn Off Phantom Energy Users
In addition to energy-saving techniques, you should also make sure that all your devices are off when not in use. If you have an internet-enabled device, make sure that it’s off. You should also make sure that the lights in your home are turned off. Consider getting motion sensors to ensure that lights are turned off when you leave your home.
It’s essential that you make sure that you use the energy-saving techniques that can help you save on your electricity bills. If you reside in Kansas or Oklahoma, you can rely on the services of Eck Services. We also offer AC installation and maintenance as well as electrical repair. Contact Eck Services if you need more help living in an energy-efficient home.