When you make your San Antonio home more energy-efficient, you use less energy to do the same tasks. By becoming more energy-efficient, you will also reduce your utility bills while decreasing your negative impact on the environment. There are low-cost ways to increase your energy efficiency as well as big-ticket methods.

LOWER YOUR THERMOSTAT

You can lower your thermostat, which costs you nothing. The thermostat should be set lower when you are away or asleep. If you do not have one already, a programmable or smart thermostat makes this process automatic. If you lower your thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees when you are not home or asleep, your utility bills will be 5% to 15% less.

INSTALL LOW-FLOW SHOWER HEADS

Installing low-flow shower heads is also inexpensive. These shower heads have a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute. Regular shower heads use five gallons or more per minute. Taking shorter showers will, of course, also save you money.

SEAL DOORS AND WINDOWS

A lot of heat will flow out of your house if your doors and windows are not properly sealed. Weather stripping and caulk are inexpensive. You should put weather stripping around window frames and use caulk to seal any cracks you see around windows and doors.

REPLACE INCANDESCENT BULBS

LED bulbs are far more efficient than incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs are better at producing heat than they are light. LED bulbs have also gotten very inexpensive and can last up to 25 years. The average home has 40 bulbs, so making this switch can save you a significant amount of money.

DO NOT WASH CLOTHES WITH HOT WATER

Ninety percent of the energy your washer consumes is spent on hot water. Therefore, it is far less expensive to use cold water. Most clothes do not need to be washed in hot water, and there are detergents specifically made for cold water use. Keep the lint screen clean on your dryer to help it operate more efficiently, too.

REPLACE AN OLD FURNACE WITH A NEW ONE

This is a big-ticket change, but it will pay off in reduced utility bills. Older furnaces use far more energy than new high-efficiency ones. You should look for the Energy Star label to make sure the new furnace meets guaranteed efficiency standards. Quality Star Services installs high-efficiency furnaces for homeowners in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. We also tune-up and repair heating units.

ADD INSULATION TO YOUR ATTIC

Most homes do not have a sufficient amount of insulation in the attic. Having enough insulation reduces your heating and cooling costs, as it prevents air from escaping your living space.

UNPLUG CHARGERS AND USE POWER STRIPS

Many of the devices in your home are always using some power. These devices are known as “energy vampires.” You should unplug phone chargers when they are not in use. Energy vampires can account for 10% of your monthly utility bill.
You should have devices you do not use that often on a power strip. This can include video game consoles, television sets, and stereo systems. You should group these onto a single power strip and turn them all completely off when not in use.

UPGRADE YOUR APPLIANCES

Another big-ticket way to reduce your energy usage is to purchase new Energy Star appliances. Refrigerators, microwaves, dishwashers, and so on are far more energy-efficient than ones made even a decade ago. Televisions have also gotten much more energy-efficient.

If you own a desktop computer and are thinking about upgrading it, you should consider buying a laptop instead. Laptops use about 80% less electricity than desktop computers. A laptop may have a maximum energy draw of 60 watts, while a desktop computer can consume up to 175 watts.

CLEAN YOUR HVAC SYSTEM’S FILTERS

Dirty filters make your HVAC system work harder and run longer. They should be inspected on a monthly basis and replaced as needed.

USE FANS

Using fans to cool your home means your furnace does not have to be used as much. Fans can be purchased inexpensively at home improvement and other stores. You can also use any ceiling fans you may have. In the winter, run your ceiling fans in reverse to push down heated air to where you are at.

RELIABLE HEATING AND COOLING SPECIALISTS

Quality Star Services is a family-oriented company based in San Antonio. Our services include coolingheating, and ductwork. We have NATE-certified technicians and are fully insured. If you need help with your heating or cooling system, please call us today.