3 Tips for Saving Money in January

After splurging during the holidays, direct your impulses for saving money to making your home more energy efficient. Investing your time and money in this direction pays you back winter and summer in lower energy costs and keeps you more comfortable longer without using your heating or cooling system. The three most effective steps to take include:

1. Take Care of Your HVAC System

Make checking the air filter a mandatory chore monthly when you’re running your heating and cooling system. Filters have a major impact on heating and cooling costs and your system’s durability. Keep it clean to get the most from your equipment.

Check the register covers. If you notice a lot of dust on the covers, contact your HVAC technician who can check for ductwork leaks. Not only do leaks drive up energy bills, they also reduce indoor air quality.

Have the HVAC system serviced if it hasn’t been serviced in the last 12 months. The HVAC technician will clean and adjust all the parts, along with oiling the motors. Electrical components require periodic care to remove dust and apply a nonconductive lubricant to keep the power flowing smoothly.

2. Check out the Attic Insulation

When it comes to making energy investments for saving money, nothing goes further than increasing attic insulation. Based on the U.S. Department of Energy’s recommendations, you should have from 10 to 20 inches in the attic. It will stop much of the heat you loses and gains throughout the year.

3. Deal with the Windows

Even the best HVAC system won’t be able to keep your home comfortable if your windows are inadequate or leaking. If they’re single-pane or your dual-pane windows have lost their seal, you are losing and gaining heat through the windows year-round. A professional from Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions can help you make them more efficient by sealing them and installing window film.

We at Rinaldi’s Energy Solutions provide HVAC services for Orland-area homeowners and can help you with saving money on your HVAC costs through service and energy efficient home improvements. Please contact us to learn more.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Orlando, Florida and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).