Roughly half of the average utility bill goes toward heating and cooling a home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. But there are ways to decrease that cost without sacrificing comfort.
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning units should be inspected regularly by qualified professionals to ensure the safety and efficiency of the machines.
You also can install a programmable thermostat that lets you set temperature adjustments by time of day, allowing you to lessen the amount of energy used to heat or cool your house when you aren’t there.
You should change your air filter on a quarterly basis. Doing so not only reduces the prevalence of allergens in your home, but it also prevents the HVAC system from having to work harder to compensate for a dirty filter.
Another way to reduce energy costs is by switching to more efficient light bulbs, like compact fluorescent bulbs. Although they have a higher purchase price, compact fluorescent bulbs ultimately save money by using less energy to produce light.
Remembering to switch off lights when you leave a room is another way to cut energy costs, as is installing power strips that let you turn off appliances at the source.
UGA Cooperative Extension offers more tips at fcs.uga.edu/extension/uga-greenway.