Energy Saving Tips

Save More on Your Electricity Bills With These Tips

Read some of these easy-to-follow tips that can help you save energy at your home or business. While you can do most of these on your own, Ives Bros is also here to meet your needs. We provide HVAC services in a timely manner, ensuring you save more money on your energy bills.

• Make sure your home is properly insulated by plugging any air leaks around your windows and doors. By caulking and weather-stripping all seams, cracks, and openings to keep indoor air confined, you can save 5%-10% or more on energy costs annually!
  
• Clean or replace the air filters in your heating and cooling systems. A clogged, dirty filter in your heating or air-conditioning system will not only weaken your home’s air quality, but it will also decrease your system’s efficiency, resulting in higher energy costs. A new filter means that your furnace will run more efficiently, and also increase your system’s lifespan!
  
• Save money by installing a programmable thermostat. When it comes to cutting energy costs, a programmable thermostat will give you the biggest bang for your buck. Affordable and easy to use, a typical programmable thermostat can help you cut between 5%-15% in energy costs. In fact, for every 1° you set back in an eight-hour period, you save 1%.
  
• Upgrade to an ENERGY STAR-labeled heating or cooling system. These products limit greenhouse gas emissions and are 5%-15% more efficient than conventional boilers and furnaces.
  
• Reduce your use of hot water, and upgrade your water heater. Replace your existing water heater with a new, energy-efficient one, or add a low-cost water heater jacket, which will help retain heat within the tank for longer periods of time. A new ENERGY STAR-rated tank will use 10%-50% less energy than standard models, and insulating will save you 4%-9% annually.
  
• Heating equipment manufacturers recommend that all heating equipment receive an annual inspection to help avoid potential costly repairs in the future. An annual inspection could reduce your heating bill between 3%-10%.
  

Some Useful Resource Links

• http://energy.gov/energysaver/projects/savings-project-how-seal-air-leaks-caulk
  
• http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_hvac
  
• http://energy.gov/energysaver/thermostats
  
• http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_checklist_consumers
  
• http://energy.gov/energysaver/projects/savings-project-insulate-your-water-heater-tank
  
• http://www.energystar.gov/ia/new_homes/features/WaterHtrs_062906.pdf
  
• http://smarterhouse.org/heating-systems/maintenance