One of the most common reasons people install new heating and air conditioning systems in their homes is because the old models were just getting too expensive to maintain. Newer, sleeker models use less energy, are more efficient, and will keep your home at the temperature you want. However, if you're looking for some tricks that will give you energy savings in addition to cost savings, this list is a good place to start shaving down your energy bills.
Tip #1: Make Sure Your Cieling Fan is Turning The Right Way
Modern cieling fans can turn both clockwise and counterclockwise. The forward direction (counterclockwise) is the one you want in the summer, because it pushes air onto you to cool you off. The reverse direction (clockwise) pulls cooler air up, and forces the warmer air down against the walls and floor, helping you maintain a warming interior as long as the fan is kept on a low setting.
Tip #2: Unplug Devices You're Not Using
You might feel comfortable that if the TV is off, or if your cell phone isn't plugged into the charger, that you aren't wasting energy. However, if you notice there's a glowing light, then the machine in question is still drawing power. Unplug your chargers and devices when you aren't using them, or use a multi-strip to cut off several devices at once. You'll be surprised at how much less power you use at the end of the month.
Tip #3: Get A Programmable Thermostat
While they might seem like more trouble than they're worth, a programmable thermostat makes you a lot less likely to waste energy with your heating and air conditioning. For example, you might tell your furnace to go down ten or twenty degrees throughout the day while you're at work, and then to come on half an hour or so before you get home. That way your home is the temperature you like, but you haven't spent 8 hours or more keeping it warm for no one to enjoy.
