10 Ways to Save on Your Charleston, SC Heating Bill
Our love for the Lowcountry spills into each new season. Springtime blooms at historic gardens and overflowing window boxes are a pure delight. The salty summer air and a bustling calendar of festivals and events are undeniably divine. Hints of fall spark trips to the pumpkin patch and morning strolls. When winter arrives, we’re spoiled with festivals of lights and spared the blizzards many moved to the area to avoid. In November and December, we see temperatures taking a dip. The change is greeted with a mix of emotions, but overall, there is gratitude for a safe and cozy home. In today’s post, we’re covering 10 ways to save on your Charleston, SC heating bill.
1. Begin With an Energy Audit
Energy.gov is a favorite resource of ours; we agree with their recommendation for an energy audit as a starting point: “An audit can help you determine how much energy your home uses, where your home is losing energy, and which problem areas and fixes you should prioritize to make your home more efficient and comfortable.”
2. Put Audit Findings Into Practice
Once you’ve uncovered where your home is losing energy, make a plan to correct issues. The professionals at East Cooper Heating & Air pride themselves on providing solutions for problem areas.
3. System Tune-Ups, Maintenance and Fresh Filters
Check out our Specials page to save on seasonal maintenance for your HVAC system. The Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) reports regular maintenance is linked with cost savings (by way of lowering your energy bills and decreasing your risk of expensive breakdowns by up to 95 percent).
4. Curtains and Blinds
Energy.gov also points to opening and closing curtains and blinds depending on where they are located in your home (for south-facing windows, open curtains during the day and close in the evening).
5. Insulation and Weather-Proofing Matter
Trane encourages consumers to check their insulation levels throughout their home. They mention everything from attic to crawlspace to garage insulation. Weatherstripping or caulk is an inexpensive fix that offers great savings when windows and doors are properly sealed.
6. Program Your Thermostat
A Consumer Reports suggestion: set your thermostat. We’re partial to upgrading to a Nest Thermostat but agree programming your thermostat each season translates into lower energy bills.
7. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
Another Trane tip: adjusting your ceiling fan settings to run clockwise in the winter. This will help circulate warm air throughout the home.
8. Have Your Ducts Checked
NerdWallet places ductwork near the top of their energy savings list. Leaky ductwork impacts heating and cooling efficiency.
9. Save Energy With Appliances
When an appliance is up for replacing, review your energy efficient options. Energy Star advises consumers about the choices they make: “Every appliance comes with two price tags: the purchase price and the cost of operating the product.”
10. Reach for Energy-Efficient Lightbulbs
Not only do newer, energy-efficient bulbs last longer, making the swap amounts to monthly savings. Energy.gov reports, “Halogen incandescents, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light emitting diodes (LEDs) … typically use about 25%-80% less energy than traditional incandescents.”
Bonus: Upgrade To an Energy-Efficient HVAC System
We’d be remiss if we didn’t wrap up today’s tips with a mention of the many affordable, energy-efficient HVAC systems available to Lowcountry residents. Let us walk you through the best fit for your home and budget.
We’re Here to Help
Do you have questions about saving on your Charleston, SC heating bill? Let’s have a conversation! The East Cooper Heating & Air team is committed to its employees, customers and communities. We are taking proper measures to ensure the safety of our team members and our customers. Let’s work together to keep you and your family comfortable. Contact us today to get started; give us a call at (843) 375-6592 or fill out our online request form.
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