Saving on Energy

With the long rough winter Northwest Indiana has dealt with, it’s safe to say we are looking for a break when it comes to our energy bills. One day it’s 80 degrees – the next 30 and snowing – our furnace is still getting a workout even as we dip to the halfway point of April.

So how can you save some money on energy costs this spring? Here’s a few tips AmeriClean has come up with for you!

• Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to save money on your electric bill. This is also a safety measure, especially if you have children in the house.
• When you’re doing your spring cleaning, make sure all the fans are working properly and are dust-free. During the warm months, switch the direction and draw air upward, cooling the room and ensuring constant airflow.
• Regularly wash or replace furnace and air conditioner filters.
• If you have a sliding glass door make sure to keep its track clean. A dirty track can ruin the door’s seal and create gaps where heat or cold air can escape.
• Pets shed during the spring – when dust and pet hair build up on your refrigerator condenser coils, the motor works harder and uses more electricity. As part of your spring-cleaning routine, make sure the coils are cleaned so that air can circulate freely.
• Turn off your thermostat, take off your storm windows, put in screens and open up the windows to get your house to a comfortable temperature.
• Use natural lighting as much as possible. If you have lights on a timer, this is a good time to check them and make sure they are only on when needed.
• Most people close their windows at night and open them up in the morning when they see it’s a nice day. You should do the opposite — your home heats up during the day so you should open your windows at night when the temperature drops, then close the windows in the morning to keep the cool air in and the hot air out.
• Some energy improvements that you make this year may qualify for a tax credit on next year’s taxes.
• Dust or wipe light bulbs.  Clean bulbs provide more light.

There are also a lot of “little” things you can do to keep extra cash in your wallet.

• Many people still believe that electronic equipment; (i.e.: computers) last longer if you never turn them off. This is a misconception that is carried over from the days of older mainframe computers.
• Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off. These “phantom” loads occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as stereos, DVD/VCRs, televisions, computers, and kitchen appliances.
• 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics in the average home is consumed while the products are turned off. You can save energy by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip to turn the power on and off.
• An ENERGY STAR qualified computer uses 70% less electricity than computers without enabled power management features. If your computer is old, buying a new one could save you energy.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact florescent light bulbs. They can pay for themselves in a little over a year.