What Are Ways I Can Conserve Energy?

March 17, 2021

For many people, their gas and electric bills are some of the highest bills they pay. This can leave less money for other more enjoyable pursuits. Plus, excess energy use leads to excess carbon emissions, which can reduce the quality of the air in O’Fallon. If you want to take control of your energy usage, the good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to lower your energy usage and your utility bills. Here are a few tips from to help provide some inspiration. Turn Lights Off When You Can Turning unused lights off is one of the simplest ways to save energy in your home. Some people worry that the initial start-up energy required to illuminate a light will undo any benefits of turning lights off when you leave a room. However, this theory has been proven to be false. Therefore, get in the habit of flipping the switch when you leave the room. For exterior lights, make sure they are on timers or utilize light sensors so that the lights aren’t on when they aren’t needed. Switch to LED Bulbs If you haven’t already, recommends switching to LED bulbs. Compared to incandescent and fluorescent...

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3 Ways to Save Money on Your Energy Bill

April 20, 2019

Keeping your budget under control can be a tough job. Finding areas where you can save money on basic household expenses is important in today’s economy. One of the areas where you can save is by making some simple changes to reduce your energy bill. Start by having regular maintenance performed on your HVAC system so that you can keep operational expenses in check. A clean system that’s properly tuned up costs less to run. Here are three more tips you can employ to save both energy and money. 1. Use LED Light Bulbs Standard light bulbs may be less expensive to purchase initially, but they end up costing you a lot more money. By replacing your standard bulbs with more energy-efficient LED products, you’ll find that the bulbs last far longer. They’ll also reduce your energy bill while they’re in use. 2. Purchase Energy-Efficient Appliances The next time you purchase an appliance like a refrigerator, washing machine, or dryer, look for a model that has been designed with energy-efficient features. Many older appliances use much more energy than newer ones. You’ll even find appliances available that offer discounts and rebates on your purchase. 3. Check Your Home for Air...

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Checking for Air Leaks in the Home

January 28, 2019

Air leaks are responsible for a large percentage of energy loss in a home. It is estimated that almost half of your energy bill goes to the heat that is lost through these leaks. Sometimes, they may be huge and easy to notice. However, there are those that are very small and can only be found using special techniques. Before calling a contractor to seal the leaks, you can detect them on your own. Try the following methods: Using an Air Leak Detector Air leak detectors are gadgets that are used to identify where the air is entering or leaving your house. These devices run on electronic sensors that detect air movement. They can be particularly effective at identifying small leaks that are not easy to detect using other methods. Using a Candle to Detect Air Leaks Candles can be used to detect smaller leaks that your hand cannot. They are effective because they will detect the smallest entry of air. With a lit candle, you should gently place it close to the areas that could have leaks. If no air is coming through, the flame will remain steady. However, if you place it at a certain position and the...

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3 AC Energy Efficient Tips

August 22, 2018

During the summer months, your energy bills can end up climbing higher than you expected if your air conditioner isn’t as energy efficient as it should be. Making sure that your AC is able to operate at maximum efficiency means that it won’t have to run as often, which helps lower your cooling bills. 1. Change Your Air Filter One of the best ways to ensure that your air conditioner is running more efficiently is to change your air filter. This filter traps dust and debris, preventing it from entering your home through the vents and allowing air to flow freely. When you have a clogged or dirty air filter, your air conditioner is forced to work harder and run more often to cool your home. This results in more energy use, higher energy bills, and more wear and tear on your AC. Replace your air filter with a new one every month or every other month to make sure that your AC unit is able to run efficiently. 2. Raise the Thermostat Setting Raising the setting on your thermostat a few degrees can result in big energy savings throughout summer. When your thermostat is set at a higher temperature,...

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Benefits of Using a Smart Thermostat In Your Home

April 27, 2018

When it’s so easy to change the temperature of your house by adjusting the thermostat, you may wonder if the expense of a new programmable thermostat is worth it. However, you may find that using a smart thermostat improves your life and saves you time, besides saving you money. Change Your Home Temp on the Go One of the biggest differences with a smart thermostat is that you can adjust it without getting up or even being in your home. Depending on the particular thermostat, you can change the settings from your smartphone or web app, or even by speaking into the Amazon Echo. You can change the temperature so it’s comfortable before you get home. You can also create a heating and cooling schedule on an app, and change it every week. Because the information is on an app, it will be easier to read than numbers on a regular thermostat. Maximize Efficiency of Your HVAC System What makes smart thermostats “smart” is that they can learn your habits and usage history, allowing you to see when your system kicked on and what temperature is best at certain times of the day. You can see how much energy you...

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How Can An Energy Efficient AC Unit Save You Money?

March 15, 2018

Do you always get a sticker shock when you get your monthly energy bill? Regardless of what your financial position looks like, paying high bills is about as much fun as going for a root canal. If saving some cash sparks your interest, here is how switching to energy efficient AC unit will save you money. The energy efficiency of an AC system is measured by the SEER rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). It is the ratio of the cooling output (in BTU) of an A/C divided by the energy consumed in Watt-Hours. Typically, all central AC units should have a SEER rating of 13, and be Energy Star certified at 14.5 or higher. The higher the rating, the more efficient a unit is. When you upgrade your unit from old air conditioner to a modern, more efficient model, you will potentially save a lot of energy and money. For instance, if your older unit had a SEER rating of 9, and you upgrade it to a SEER 13 (the lowest efficiency available), you will reduce your energy bill by about 28%. That means you will save up to $300 per year, depending on the cost of electricity and your...

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Seal Your Home, Pay Less In Energy Costs — It’s That Simple

June 7, 2012

When you seal your home, you reduce the amount of air coming inside and going out. Those leaks cost you money summer and winter because they make your HVAC equipment work harder. Sealing the leaks isn’t a difficult process once you know where they are. Find the Leaks You can conduct your own test with just a few common household items. First, draw a simple sketch of your home’s layout and close the windows and exterior doors. Extinguish any gas-burning appliances and turn on the exhaust fans. Walk through the house with lighted incense, covering the entire perimeter of your home, including the attic and basement. Note on the floor plan where the smoke wavers. The moving smoke indicates air coming inside. Typical places for air leaks include window frames, exterior doors, electrical outlets and switches, and places where the cables and pipes enter or leave. Seal the Leaks Seal exterior door leaks with fresh weather-stripping, available at home improvement stores. You can add a door sweep to the exterior doors to block drafts coming in or going out. These sweeps are available at home centers. If you need one, measure your door before going to help you buy the right...

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