Ways to Save Money and Energy

Are you tired of seeing your utility bills rise during this time of year? Wish you had ways to lower your costs? Well, we have a few solutions that will help save you energy and put money back into your wallet. Here are several low-cost tips that will help you minimize your utility bill.

• Replace your filters regularly to help maintain your unit’s efficiency. Most manufacturers recommend replacing your filters every two to three months. If you have reusable filters, they should be cleaned on the same schedule.
• Install a programmable thermostat. You can save up to 10% on heating costs just by having your system automatically lower temperatures while you are not occupying your home.
• Have a Precision Tune-Up orPlanned Service performed. Having a licensed technician service your system at least once a year can save you as much as 15% on heating costs and also increase the unit’s lifespan.

If you are willing to invest some money to reduce utility costs, there are other ways to dramatically increase your energy savings. Your old ducts may have air leaks or lack of insulation resulting in wasted energy. Having your ducts sealed and insulated can put that wasted energy back into your home where it belongs. Also, your old gas furnace or heat pump are probably running inefficiently. Upgrading to a high-efficiency gas furnace or heat pump drastically reduces your utility bill. Currently, there are rebates from the Energy Trust of Oregon and State tax credits to help offset these initial costs.

If you would like someone to give you specific advice for making your home more efficient, call our office at (503) 266-1249. We would be happy to answer questions you have about your home or to schedule one of our comfort specialists to give you a free in-home consultation.