Save 20% on your Utility Bill

If you want to reduce your heating cost, it doesn’t start with spending thousands of dollars on an energy saving HVAC system.  Here are a few tips you can do yourself or hire a contractor to do for you, which you may see an immediate reduction in your cooling bill; (I’ve seen as much as 20%).

It starts in your attic; look for voids in the insulation, if you have blow-in insulation, move insulation over the thin or void areas or staple insulation battens where they have fallen away from vertical walls.  Check to insure you have free flow air through the eaves; if insulation is stuffed all the way to the eaves, pull it away so air can flow through your soffit vents and out your roof or gable vents.  Make sure your soffit and roof vents are clear from insect nests, birds nest as well as spider webs, they can collect enough dust to prevent positive air flow.  It only takes a few minutes to clear the debris way.  Make sure the bathroom vents have flex line still connected to the roof vent.  Does your bathroom or kitchen exhaust fans have baffles in them? Some vents do not have baffles or they are corroded open and when your air handler kicks in, it will suck cold air through poorly sealed doors, windows, your attic or from outside. If your air handler is inside your home, check to make sure the plenum has a good seal all the way around where it enters the ceiling or you will be sucking air from the attic, through your system.  Check all your exterior door seals to insure they have a good seal all the way around so you’re not pulling cold air from outside.

  If you are considering investing into energy conservation measures into your home saving money or just want to start saving money on your utility bill; start with additional blow-in insulation and be sure the contractor installs baffles at the eaves so you will have positive airflow through the soffit vents. I would also suggest installing off ridge or ridge vents for attic ventilation. Inspect your ridge vents or off ridge vents to insure they are not covered with felt, (especially if you have recently replaced your roof). If the openings are not wide enough to let a free flow of air pass, you could have a buildup of moisture in your attic. If your HVAC system is 15 years old or older I would suggest you start budgeting for replacement. If you have already done the above mentioned suggestions and change your system out, you will see a drastic change in your utility bill and should have a return from your investment within five years.  Other areas to consider for saving money on your utility bill, (if you are going to stay in your home longer than five years), install a good quality insulated windows.  Not only will energy saving windows save you money on your energy bill it will increase the marketability of your home. If new windows are not in your budget right now, a couple layers of curtains, (sheers and drapes), will help create an insulated barrier from the cold air. Check with your local energy supplier and see what incentives they offer homeowners for upgrading to an energy efficient system and start budgeting for replacement.  If you can save 20% off your utility bill now with the above suggestions; how soon will it be that you can replace your current HVAC system?