Feel that chill in the air? While it may not be time to turn up the thermostat just yet, it is time to start thinking about your keeping your home warm—efficiently. October is Energy Awareness Month and a good time to start thinking about your energy use. Mike Clear, VP of Operations at American Home Shield, offers energy-saving tips on how to make sure your utility bills are taking it easy on your wallet:
Tolerable Temps: When the household is sleeping turning down the thermostat 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours, you can save 5 to 15 percent a year on your heating bill. This is a savings of about 1 percent for each degree!
Furnace Care: To improve efficiency and save money, replacing your furnace filter once a month can add years to the life of your furnace.
Clean Your Coils: Refrigerator condenser coils are easily overlooked. Use a handheld vacuum to clean and rid the coils of loose particles and dust so it won’t have to work as hard!
Oven Lovin’: Without a proper oven seal, more than 20 percent of the oven’s heat can be lost, leading to longer cooking times and lost energy. Check the seal around the door for breaks or cracks, and replace the seal for optimal oven performance.
For more information, visit www.ahs.com.
