As the spring temperatures begin to rise, so will energy costs. While the easiest way to save on energy is to turn off your air conditioner, that's not a viable option when the heat and humidity team up in South Carolina's Midlands. However, a number of other methods are available for reducing energy costs.
Fast and Free Energy Savers
• Get into the habit of turning lights and ceiling fans off when you're not in the room. Also, instead of turning lights on during the day, open shades and curtains in rooms not facing the sun, and use the free, natural light to brighten up a room.
• Reduce your energy use by washing clothing in cold or cool water instead of hot. In addition, line dry your clothing outside whenever possible. When running the dryer, keep the lint trap clean and consider using the tumble dry with no heat setting.
• Only run the dishwasher when you have a full load and skip unnecessary cycles such as sanitize. Also, choose the air-dry option over the heat dry, which will help reduce the amount of energy used. Another way to reduce energy costs in the kitchen is to use the microwave instead of the stove for cooking.
Energy Saving Investments
• Replace old HVAC thermostats with an energy-efficient programmable model that allows you to program your temperatures according to your daily and weekly schedules. The thermostat will set back your temperatures when nobody's at home, or when everybody's sleeping. Furthermore, consider replacing your old energy-wasting heating and cooling systems with new high-efficiency models.
• Engage an experienced HVAC company to perform a home energy audit. The HVAC technician will examine your entire home, evaluate your heating and cooling systems, and give you a detailed report on where you're wasting energy and how you can improve the efficiency of your home.
For more information on reducing your energy costs, contact the experts at Comfort Services. We have been providing reliable, affordable and trustworthy HVAC services to South Carolina's Midlands since 1976.
