Smart Ways to Lower Your Energy Costs Amid Crisis

COVID-19 has been causing significant financial losses to millions of households. Some lost their jobs while some business owners couldn’t resume to their regular operations unless a vaccine is readily available.

If this crisis has hit you, you must be looking for ways not only to earn but also to minimize your expenses. Your heating and cooling systems account for about half of your monthly energy costs. By taking some time to read this article and equip yourself with simple tips, you can lower your operational costs.

Four Seasons Air Specialists is your friendly HVAC company in Circle Pines MN that can help you optimize your HVAC systems and minimize your energy expenses.

Here are a few tips for you.

Be on top of your filters.

Filter management is perhaps the most natural thing you can do to improve your HVAC system’s performance. A clogged filter causes your HVAC system to work with added pressure. Ultimately, it can lead to severe damage to the unit itself. Failure to manage filters is one of the most common causes of HVAC equipment malfunctions. However, you can avoid such problems if you ensure your system is working with a clean filter.


Replacing your air filters ensures a cleaner, safer, and healthier indoor air, and it also protects your HVAC system from premature crashing. As a result, it helps you save a considerable amount on energy costs. An HVAC system with clean filter uses less energy because it enjoys sufficient airflow within the system. This simple tip can save you up to 15 per cent on your monthly energy costs.

Pull the plug on your appliances.

Even when your household appliances are in standby mode, they still consume some energy, which is a waste of money. There is no need for you to keep your TV or microwave plugged when you’re doing something else or while asleep.

The Department of Energy estimates that an always-connected appliance draws 1 watt of electricity and that can be as much as $1 per year. Your home’s “energy vampires”, such as cable or satellite boxes, digital TV converters, video game consoles, standby coffee makers, and devices with standby light or clock, use energy continuously.

Plug your devices into power strips, and turn off when not needed. Going for smart power strips makes it even more comfortable. These strips automatically shut down power when devices are not in use.

According to research, unplugging your devices can save you as much as $100 to $200 a year. Also, you can protect yourself and your family from power surges and lower your risk of starting a fire.

Upgrade to a smart thermostat.

If you’re still stuck with an old, analog thermostat, you’re missing out on great things smart thermostats can offer, especially energy savings. Such advantages were practically unheard of 20 years ago. These intelligent devices connect to the internet and allow you to manage your home’s indoor environment via a smartphone app. They can learn algorithms to help you set the most efficient framework for your thermostat at the most appropriate schedules.

These devices get a better idea of your positions, and they can give you suggestions for optimizing your schedule even more efficiently.


The more you use the device, the more accurate it gets in learning your heating setups. It can also discern how long it takes to cozy up a room based on the outside temperature and your home’s heating and cooling preferences. A smart thermostat allows you to increase your energy savings while you are away or asleep.


Switch to energy-saving lights.

Light-emitting diodes (LED) lights are an innovative, energy-saving lighting solution. With increasing electricity costs, switching to LED lights has become a no-brainer because they are up to 70 to 80 per cent more energy-efficient than a conventional incandescent bulb. LED lights also last much longer than traditional incandescent and CFL bulbs. That’s savings in the now as well as in the future.

Call the Energy-Saving Experts


To improve your home’s energy efficiency, call Four Seasons Air Specialists, your leading Shoreview heating and air conditioning company. It is our pleasure to help you achieve great comfort in the most energy-efficient ways.