Spring and Summer Energy Saving Tips for Your Home

Are you looking for ways to lower your energy usage? We won’t blame you if you are, considering the fact that oil prices keep on going up. But did you know that there are practical ways you can try to achieve lower monthly energy costs?

Four Seasons Air Specialists is your trusted HVAC company in Woodbury MN. We are committed to helping you establish a comfortable home sans the skyrocketing utility bills.

If you’re using a water heater, insulate the tank.

Perhaps every homeowner understands the importance of quality insulation in terms of saving on energy. But have you thought of insulating your hot water tank as well? This little secret is an easy and affordable way to improve your home’s energy efficiency and save you some money every month.

If you have an older tank, check its insulation rating. An R-value of lower than 24 means the tank needs a boost in insulation, which can reduce standby heat losses by as much as 25 to 45 percent and help you slash 7 to 16 percent off your water heating costs. That’s according to the Department of Energy.

If your tank does not indicate its R-value, what you can do is touch it. If it is warm to the touch, it means it needs more insulation.

Use your thermostat wisely.

If possible, set the thermometer at a temperature comfortable enough for you while being mindful of the humidity at the same time. Make sure that there is a small difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures. Also, try to keep your home warmer than normal when you’re away, and lower the thermostat setting when you get back home and want some cooling. Using a programmable thermostat will make this setting easier for you.

Another tip: try not to set your thermostat at a cooler setting than normal when you first turn your heat pump on. It will not cool your home any faster and may even result in too much cooling and unnecessary energy over-consumption.

Use your household appliances intelligently.

Your household appliances’ energy consumption doesn’t only depend on the brand or model, but also on how you use them. It is wise to wash the dishes by hand, but it’s not always the most energy-efficient way. If you have a dishwasher, opt to run a full load of dishes and be sure to turn off heated dry or any other additional options you don’t need.

Also, your washing machine doesn’t necessarily use too much energy unless you wash in hot water. Therefore, wash your clothes in cold water, and, if you can hang them to dry overnight instead of spinning them in your dryer, which uses a lot of energy to generate heat.

Use window treatments.

After several months of dark winter, you probably are yearning for natural light. Allowing ambient light to come in through your windows allows you to have a bright, scenic view and helps you minimize energy use in lighting. However, doing so may compromise energy efficiency by letting in too much heat through the glass. To solve this issue, try to use different window treatments such as shades, window quilts, blinds, curtains and drapes, and even window films. Whatever treatment works for your home, try to keep solar heat from coming into your home. Consider opening your windows on cooler days to create a cross-breeze that naturally lowers your indoor temperature without having to run your HVAC system.

Keep your filters clean.

Your filter may seem like an easy part to maintain, and you’re right. But if you fail to check it regularly, it can easily cause your energy costs to go up. When your HVAC system works with a clogged filter, it is forced to work much harder to reach your desired settings. That’s why you may want to think about cleaning those filters at least once every 30 days. This simple step can help you save on energy, which you can use for other household expenses.

Ask the Energy Efficiency Experts

For more tips, be sure to call Four Seasons Air Specialists. As your reliable Vadnais Heights heating and air conditioning company, we can help you keep your HVAC system in tip-top shape, keeping your energy costs low each month.