A high energy bill is a struggle that most people face. It’s common to try to reduce the bill by not using any energy, but that only results in an uncomfortable living environment. There’s nothing more aggravating than being subjected to a hot or cold house, so don’t do that to yourself. Below are four ways to reduce your energy bill while improving your comfort.
1. Automatic Thermostat
Automatic thermostats are fantastic for reducing your energy bill. Too often, we have to heat or cool our homes all day just for them to be an acceptable temperature when we get back from work. This results in a huge energy bill with no one at home to benefit from it. An automatic thermostat can be programmed to set your house at a specific temperature different times during the day. If you prefer it to be warmer during the day and cooler in the evenings, an automatic thermostat can help out.
2. Fan Circulation
Fans are an effective and inexpensive way to circulate air around your home when it’s hot. It’s all about strategically placing them. It may be tempting to have the fan pointed directly at you, but that’s not the most efficient way to use it. Pick a room that is generally cool and put the fan at the entrance, facing outward. With its back to the cool air, the fan draws that air in and then pushes it out to the warmer areas that need it the most.
If you’re in a particularly hot area and can’t get any relief, you may want to try cooling the air with a fan and a container of ice. Simply fill a bucket with ice and place it in front of the fan. The air blowing from the fan will be cooled down from the ice, creating a DIY air conditioner that will have you feeling refreshed in no time.
3. HVAC Zoning
HVAC zoning is perfect for families that have different temperature preferences or if you have a house with rooms that are generally warmer or cooler than other parts of the house. A normal HVAC system heats or cools the entire house to one temperature. An HVAC zoning system allows you to divide your house into “zones” that can be set to different temperatures. The upfront installation cost may be a little pricey, but it will save you money in the future.
4. Rearrange Your Furniture
This may seem like a no-brainer, but so many people place furniture in front of their air vents. If something is obstructing it, there’s no way the air can properly circulate around the room. Just because the couch looks the best on that one wall doesn’t mean it should stay there. Pulling it out even a few inches to allow the air to escape can go a long way in improving the temperature of the room.
You don’t need to sacrifice comfort in order to reduce your energy bill. With these solutions, you’ll notice a drop in your monthly payment and an improved sense of comfort in your home.
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