But hold your horses; before you take the plunge, it’s crucial to be armed with the right information. This guide will walk you through the intricate world of HVAC upgrades, uncovering the key elements that will transform your home’s climate control game!

SEER Ratings: What is It?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it’s a vital metric when assessing the energy efficiency of your HVAC system. The SEER rating is determined by calculating the cooling output during a typical cooling season divided by the total electric energy input. The higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient your system is.

The Impact of SEER on Your Energy Bills

Higher SEER-rated systems are not only more environmentally friendly but also kinder to your wallet. They consume less electricity, which translates to lower energy bills. Over time, these savings can significantly offset the initial investment in a higher SEER system.

Choosing the Right SEER Rating

When upgrading your HVAC, it’s crucial to choose a SEER rating that aligns with your specific needs and budget. While a higher SEER rating is more energy-efficient, it may require a higher initial investment. Weigh the long-term energy savings against the upfront costs to determine the right SEER rating for your home.

Proper Sizing: Why Size Matters

Selecting the appropriate size for your HVAC system is another crucial factor. A system that’s too small will struggle to keep your home comfortable, while an oversized system can result in inefficiency and unnecessary costs.

To ensure your HVAC system is the right size, consult a professional. They will perform a Manual J calculation, taking into account factors such as your home’s square footage, insulation, and climate. This precise sizing ensures optimal performance and energy efficiency.

Environmental Impact: Considering Eco-Friendly Options

As environmental concerns continue to grow, many homeowners are exploring eco-friendly HVAC options. Geothermal heat pumps and solar-powered systems are becoming increasingly popular choices for those who want to reduce their carbon footprint.

Federal and Local Incentives

When upgrading your HVAC system, research available incentives and rebates offered by federal, state, or local programs. These incentives can significantly offset the initial cost, making it a financially savvy choice in the long run.

Regular Maintenance: The Key to Sustained Efficiency

Proper maintenance is essential for ensuring the longevity of your HVAC system. Regular check-ups, cleaning, and filter replacements can help prevent costly breakdowns and extend the life of your unit.

A well-maintained HVAC system runs more efficiently, translating into energy savings. When filters are clean and components are in good working order, your system doesn’t have to work as hard to achieve the desired temperature, reducing energy consumption.

HVAC Energy Savings: How to Achieve Sustainable Comfort

Upgrading your HVAC system isn’t just about enhancing comfort; it’s also about reducing your carbon footprint and cutting down on hefty utility bills. Incorporating energy-saving strategies alongside your HVAC upgrade can yield substantial benefits for both your wallet and the planet. Let’s delve into some effective strategies that can significantly augment your energy savings.

1. Proper Insulation: Ensuring your home is adequately insulated can prevent energy leaks and optimize the efficiency of your HVAC system. From sealing air ducts to insulating attics and walls, an airtight home can significantly reduce the strain on your HVAC system, leading to substantial energy savings in the long run.

2. Efficient Windows: Investing in energy-efficient windows can play a pivotal role in minimizing heat transfer and maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature. Double-paned windows with low-emissivity coatings can help regulate heat, reducing the burden on your HVAC system and ultimately cutting down on energy consumption.

3. Ductwork Sealing: Leaky ductwork can lead to significant energy losses, forcing your HVAC system to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. Sealing the ducts effectively can enhance the overall airflow efficiency, enabling your HVAC system to operate optimally while consuming less energy.

4. Energy-Efficient HVAC Models: Investing in energy-efficient HVAC models with high SEER ratings can be a long-term strategy to maximize your energy savings. While the initial cost might seem daunting, the reduced energy consumption and lower utility bills over time make it a wise investment for both your pocket and the environment.

Professional Installation: The Backbone of HVAC Efficiency

Now, here’s a golden nugget of wisdom for you – no matter how efficient or smart your HVAC system might be, it’s only as good as its installation! A poor installation job could turn your dreams of energy savings and comfort into a nightmare of inefficiency and frequent breakdowns.

Optimal Performance

Even the most advanced HVAC system won’t perform optimally if it’s not installed correctly. Professional installation ensures that your system operates at peak efficiency from day one. So, when you’ve finally settled on the perfect HVAC upgrade, make sure to entrust the installation process to a team of seasoned professionals.

Warranty and Peace of Mind

Many manufacturers require professional installation to maintain the warranty on your HVAC system. Having a warranty in place offers peace of mind, knowing that any unexpected issues will be covered.

Final Thoughts

Don’t shy away from asking for credentials, checking reviews, and seeking recommendations. Remember, a stellar installation job could be the difference between a seamless, energy-efficient experience and a roller coaster ride of HVAC woes!

The post Navigating HVAC Upgrades: From SEER Ratings to Energy Savings appeared first on Energy Consulting Services.

Using inefficient energy manners is always beneficial for our society and environment. This concept helps us obtain the same energy services but with lower energy consumption. Understanding this better, learn about fun facts about energy here

However, if you want to know more about why energy efficiency is important for us, simply look at the details enlisted below to better understand things in this regard.

So, here we go:

Energy efficiency vs energy conservation:

Commonly, people think that energy conservation and energy efficiency as similar terms. However, these are related terms but with different meanings in the energy world.

In simple words, energy conservation is all about adjusting your behavior and habits towards energy consumption to use less energy regularly. However, on the other hand, energy efficiency is all about utilizing technology that uses less energy for performing the same function.

For example, using LEDs instead of bulbs, smart household appliances, smart home hubs, and thermostats are all examples of energy efficiency.

While, turning your refrigerator down, cleaning air filters, switching lights off when no one is in the room, etc. are some effective energy conservation ideas.

Even more, energy conservation is something that you can start practicing immediately to reduce your energy consumption without even any upfront cost. So, if you want to conserve energy, you can learn how to conserve energy effectively to be more knowledgeable in this regard.

Examples of Energy Efficiency:

The concept of energy efficiency can almost be applied in every energy-consuming service. Energy efficiency can help in reducing environmental impact, reduce costs, and improve overall life quality in the best possible way. However, when it comes to clearly understanding the concept of energy efficiency, knowing some examples of energy efficiency will surely help.

So, let’s have a look at the examples of energy efficiency below:

• Using energy-efficient home appliances
• Transportation options with improved fuel economy
• Utilization of renewable resources
• Preferring reusing instead of remaking
• Reducing your energy waste
• Using LED lights at home

Benefits of Energy Efficiency for the environment and society:

One of the most effective yet best ways to save money is energy efficiency. It will even help you reduce your greenhouse emission in the best possible way. Additionally, it can help governments meet increasing energy demands as well more effectively.

However, when it comes to understanding the importance of energy efficiency for the environment and society, knowing the benefits below is important:

1. Increased energy efficiency is one of the best ways to reduce greenhouse emissions. It will also help in reducing water usage and other pollutants effectively.
2. Improving energy efficiency can be beneficial to the economy as well. It is because this will help you to reduce your energy bills significantly. Additionally, it can create more job opportunities and help effectively in stabilizing electricity volatility and prices in the best possible way.
3. In the long term, energy efficiency will lower electricity demands overall. As a result, it will keep utility system agencies investing in new electricity transmission infrastructure and generation with ease.
4. Most importantly, energy efficiency can also help diversify the portfolios of utility resources. Also, it will be a hedge against uncertainty linked with the fluctuation of fuel prices.

Importance of energy efficiency in buildings:

The major benefit of energy efficiency is reducing your energy costs in buildings. However, there are other benefits as well to consider here.

Energy efficiency in buildings can improve your overall comfort to live in a building. As it will take lower energy for your building to heat or cool, or heat water. You can also reduce your energy consumption for lighting, domestic operating appliances, and office machinery.

On top of that, energy efficiency in buildings can also significantly increase your property’s value. At the same time, the maintenance requirements of your building will also reduce dramatically. It is because when you use energy-efficient measures for your building, your building is going to be properly ventilated, drier, or warmer. This will prevent indoor pollutants buildup.

Importance of efficiency in everyday life:

Energy efficiency doesn’t only help you save more with ease. Also, energy efficiency in everyday life can help people to live longer and healthier. According to NRDC, cutting energy consumption nationwide efficiently by 15 percent can help in saving 6 lives a day.

• It will also help in avoiding about $20 billion in problems related to health.
• It is because when energy power points run and burn natural gas, oil, or coal, they are used to release tiny particles in the air we are breathing.
• These tiny particles are associated with different health issues such as heart attacks, asthma, lung cancer, etc.

However, energy efficiency in everyday life will reduce the energy demand and improve living comfort effectively.

Importance of energy efficiency in gardening:

Along with bringing pleasure to your life, your garden can also be energy efficient. Sustainable gardening is meant to make the energy of your garden efficient. This will help you to save your resources and water. Ultimately, you can save more in terms of money and energy effectively.

Conclusion:

Overall, energy efficiency is a practice of using technology that relies on lower energy to perform. Being energy efficient can help us in multiple ways, from reducing energy bills to even improving our quality of life in the best possible way. Therefore, it is always important to practice energy efficiency in your life.

FAQs

Are home energy audits worth it?

Even though doing an energy audit and then following the measures for energy efficiency included in the audit report come up with a cost. However, overall, home energy audits are worth it. It is mainly because this will help you save more on your energy bills later by making essential upgrades for energy efficiency in your home. Also, you can ensure a higher level of safety in your home.

How often should you do an energy audit?

The energy audits are valid for about four years. However, it is always recommended to keep doing an energy audit periodically after that. In short, you must do an energy audit if you experienced the installation characteristics, or their uses have changed significantly. For that, don’t consider the time elapsed since you did your last energy audit. An energy audit will let you make sure that there is no problem in your home.

The post The Importance of Energy Efficiency appeared first on Energy Consulting Services.

However, there are some things you can do to at least delay breakdowns, which could be costly to repair, especially if it’s the compressor, the motor blower, or any other important part that’s having problems.

Here are some tips that will help keep your HVAC system in good shape and help you avoid costly repairs in the process.

Change Your Air Filter Regularly

Your HVAC system’s air filter traps dust, dirt, mold, and other contaminants.

Over time, the air filter becomes caked with dust and debris. If you continue running your HVAC system with a dirty air filter, airflow won’t be optimal. Poor airflow forces your HVAC system to work harder, and all that effort will likely cause it to break down in the not-so-distant future.

You can spare your HVAC unit from all that stress by changing your air filter regularly. You can clean the air filter, or you can replace it with a fresh one.

Ideally, air filters need to be changed every 90 days, but doing it every 45 days would be necessary if you’ve got plenty of pets or if anyone in the household suffers asthma attacks or allergies from time to time.

Clean The Outside Unit

The outside unit of your HVAC system is exposed to the elements.

Aside from the usual dust and dirt, tree leaves, twigs, and all sorts of debris could collect around or even inside your outside unit.

An outside unit covered by dirt and debris is a problem because they cause not just poor airflow but also faulty heat release. A dirty outside unit covered by debris will likely overheat and break down, requiring costly repairs.

Always keep the outside unit clean and free of obstructions. You can clean the condenser fins using a vacuum cleaner. You can also hose the outside unit down if you know how. If there are any plants around it, relocate them so nothing would impede airflow.

Don’t Ignore Unusual HVAC Noises

HVAC systems are typically loud while running, but they don’t just produce all sorts of sounds if it’s perfectly fine.

If your HVAC unit rattles, grinds, buzzes, or makes any odd sound while in operation, there could be a problem somewhere, and that problem could get worse and lead to costly repairs if you ignore it. Call a trusted HVAC professional right away and have your system checked out.

Have A Nose For Strange Smells Coming Out Of Vents

Usually, the cooled or heated air produced by our HVAC unit doesn’t smell like anything.

So if your nose picks up odors like rotten eggs, rotting garbage, or something burning, there is something odd going on with your HVAC system.

The smell of rotten eggs could be a gas leak. Dead animals with your ductwork could be causing that smell of rotting garbage. And if you smell something burning, your HVAC unit may have a wiring problem or a component overheating.

As with weird sounds, unusual smells should alarm you enough to have a professional HVAC technician check it out.

Regular HVAC Maintenance

Nothing assures the prevention of costly repairs better than regular HVAC maintenance by professional technicians.

The benefits of professional HVAC maintenance include:

• Efficient operation leading to lower energy bills
• Longer HVAC system lifespan
• Better indoor air quality
• Fewer breakdowns, fewer costly repairs
• Peace of mind, knowing your HVAC system will function well for a long time

Since your HVAC system will need regular maintenance for years, you can opt to enter into a comprehensive AC maintenance plan agreement with an HVAC contractor you can trust.

With such a plan in place, you can rest assured that your HVAC system won’t miss a single maintenance date. Preventive HVAC maintenance includes the basic things like changing air filters and cleaning the outside unit, as well as:

• Checking refrigerant charge levels
• Inspecting system controls
• Gauging system airflow
• Checking for possible refrigerant leaks
• Cleaning the blower
• Evaluate starting and heating/cooling cycles
• Checking condensate lines and cleaning them
• Checking for leaks and obstructions in your duct system
• Inspecting electrical connections and components
• Applying lubricant on motors
• Tightening fan, belts, and bearings

It’s true that HVAC systems will eventually break down and require repairs due to age and other factors. Still, regular maintenance will save you money in the long run since repairs on well-maintained HVAC systems will be few and far between.

About the author

Rachel Watson is the Senior Content Editor of Precision Air & Plumbing, a full-service HVAC, plumbing and home performance contractor operating in Chandler, Arizona. Rachel enjoys yoga and writing articles about how to make home living more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

The post HVAC Maintenance Tips That Will Help Prevent Costly Repairs appeared first on Energy Consulting Services.

Ask for Recommendations

Searching for a reputable HVAC company does not have to be stressful. And you don’t have to do it all on your own. One of the best ways to start your search would be to reach out to family members and friends. Ask them who they go to, and more importantly, ask them why.

What makes asking for recommendations ideal is that your friends and family have no strings attached. You can honestly share your HVAC issues and concerns without worrying about people trying to upsell or rip you off.

Find out as much as you can about the HVAC companies they recommend and the services they offer. Make it a point to learn as much as you can about the essentials—their pricing rates, their overall quality of work, and their level of professionalism.

Read Client Testimonials and Reviews

One great way to check if you are on the right track would be to read client testimonials and reviews. This can help ensure you are getting the service you expect. In the reviews, you can read about the good, the bad, and the ugly about the HVAC companies you are considering.

On the reviews page, you can also get some insights into how professional they work, the quality of work they deliver, and how prompt their technicians are, among other things. It is important to remember that while sometimes used interchangeably, reviews and testimonials are different.

Testimonials highlight the best of the best feedback from clients. While the insights can be valuable, it is recommended that you check third-party reviews on Google and other sites to see what clients with less-than-stellar experiences have to say.

Check for Licensing

Checking for the licensing is straightforward. Typically, HVAC companies display their licensing on their business cards, websites, and even their trucks. That said, you won’t have to second guess if you are working with a potential scammer or a trusted professional.

Find Out How Long They Have Been in Business

Would you want a lawyer who just passed the BAR exam to represent you? Or would you like a doctor who just graduated to perform major surgery on you? Most likely not. In the same manner, it’s not ideal to hire an HVAC company that just started out. It does not mean, however, that new HVAC companies are not trustworthy.

However, it is likely that new players in the industry won’t have the same level of expertise as those companies that have been around for a significant amount of time. Undeniably, it is always ideal to go with companies with more experience. Knowing you are working with a seasoned company will also give you peace of mind, knowing you are in good hands.

Ask Questions and Be Specific

During a consultation with a prospect, ask the right questions. Doing so can help you fill in the gaps that you could not cover during your initial research. For instance, you can ask how knowledgeable their technicians are.

Even if you know nothing about HVAC, asking questions can give you an insight into the technician’s ability to troubleshoot and fix any HVAC issues. Plus, you might just learn a thing (or two) about proper HVAC care.

Get Everything in Writing

Before a technician leaves after a consultation, ask if they can provide a form or list where you can find all the possible charges. This can make it easier for you to keep track of the numbers when you need to make comparisons.

You can also refer to the documents in case you notice some upcharge or accidental double charge. You can also refer to the initial quote to ensure all the charges are within the initial quote provided.  It can also come in handy if you need to dispute your bill.

Final Thoughts

Finding the best HVAC company to work with can be challenging, especially if it’s your first time. Fortunately, with the tips laid out above, finding the right HVAC company can get a lot easier.

About the author

Rachel Watson is the Senior Content Editor of Precision Air & Plumbing, a full-service HVAC, plumbing and home performance contractor operating in Chandler, Arizona. Rachel enjoys yoga and writing articles about how to make home living more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

The post Tips on Finding and Hiring the Right HVAC Company appeared first on Energy Consulting Services.

Decrease utility costs and maximize your home’s energy efficiency by working with Energy Consulting Services. Schedule an energy audit today! 404.931.9593

Energy-efficient appliances

The Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy have a special program that rates appliances based on their energy use. It’s called Energy Star, and while the standards for the rating depend on the product, the appliance is likely to be more efficient than what you currently have installed. Energy Star appliances run the gamut from dishwashers to refrigerators to water heaters to furnaces. And switching to Energy Star-rated appliances could also yield a rebate from your utility or the government. In addition to reducing your energy usage, these appliances can also help you reduce your utility costs.

LED light bulbs

While the cost will be more upfront, swapping LED bulbs for incandescents can help save on your electricity bill. Not only do LEDs last longer, but they use less energy. You can also find smart home light bulbs, which you can control from an app on your phone or through a digital assistant like an Echo or Google Home device.

Dual-flush toilets

If you have older model toilets in your home, these are significant water hogs. Every time you flush the toilet, you could be flushing as many as seven gallons down the drain. Switching to a dual-flush is a great way to curb your water consumption, and these can be relatively inexpensive to swap out, though you’ll likely need a plumber to assist with installation.

Smart thermostats

Installing a smart thermostat is a great way to reduce your energy usage. This Old House explains the beauty of smart thermostats is their ability to determine your temperature patterns and preferences throughout the day and adjust as needed. So if you’re home on a winter afternoon, your thermostat might be set at 68 degrees, whereas once you go to bed, it might switch itself to 65 or lower to conserve energy. Plus, these can easily integrate with smart home assistants and can be controlled through apps on your phone.

Solar panels

Many people have turned to solar panels as a means of reducing their energy consumption. While this can be an expensive proposition, it can end up bringing you significant savings in the long-term depending on where you live.

First, HowStuffWorks explains you will need to determine if they will be efficient for your home, and you’ll need to assess their angle, orientation, whether you have shade, the weather in your area, your electricity demands, and your voltage. Solar panels have come a long way since they gained popularity in the 70s. They’re more efficient, less of an eyesore, and more accessible for the general homeowner. You can buy them or rent them and install them yourself or hire someone to do it. Either way, you’ll be saving money and helping the environment.

Engage on a grander scale

Changing things on your personal level is one thing, but if you really want to effect change, consider something bigger. For instance, if you always dreamed of starting your own business and you’re seriously considering diving in, you could help the environment. Along with creating a business plan, registering your business, and hiring employees, make green policies part of your plan.

And if you want to go even bigger with your impact, connect with your local government, explaining that other locations have seen economic growth linked with greener living. Seemingly simple changes, like improving a town’s walkability, can make a big difference in the environment, and a big difference in the health of area businesses.

Are You Ready for a Greener Lifestyle?

If you’re brand new to living a green lifestyle, it might seem overwhelming. There are lots of blogs and articles devoted to helping you adapt to a greener mindset and that offer tips for getting started. Take it a step at a time, and know that your choices now will benefit the planet later.

The post Using Technology to Help You Lead a Greener Lifestyle appeared first on Energy Consulting Services.

Regardless of where you live, you can probably benefit from saving money on your electric bill every month. Utility bills don’t seem like much on their own, but when you add them all together, it makes up a substantial chunk of your monthly budget.

And for many people, utilities are an area of unnecessary waste. So if you know how to save on energy, you can lower your electric bill and dramatically reduce how much money you spend every month.

This article will offer some tips on how to save on your electric bill and give you 20 practical strategies you can begin implementing immediately.

You probably know that you should be trying to conserve energy, but it’s hard to take action if you don’t understand how this effort is going to pay off. By focusing on cutting down on your energy consumption and finding creative ways to save, you can lower your electric bill by as much as 25%.

Plus, focusing on energy efficiency will improve the value of your home over the long run. Here are 20 tips for how to lower your electric bill and start saving money today.

Buy LED Bulbs

According to one survey, the average home uses at least 20 light bulbs in their light fixtures and lamps. For that reason, the type of lighting you use matters, and LED bulbs are 80% more efficient than incandescent bulbs.

You can save as much as $1,000 over the next decade by replacing standard bulbs with LED lighting. For the best results, look for the Energy Star label on all of your bulbs.

Lower Water Heater Temperature

Did you know that your water heater accounts for roughly 17% of your home’s total energy usage? Hot water is likely a staple in your daily life as you shower, run the dishwasher, and perform other household tasks.

The default setting in your water heater is typically 140 degrees, and lowering it just 15 – 20 degrees can make a big difference in your home’s overall energy consumption. And if you’re planning to go out of town, you can prep your home for vacation by turning it to the lowest setting possible.

Check Window And Door Seals

If you’re spending too much money on your utility bills every month, then the seals in your home are the likely culprit. A bad seal allows energy to seep out of your home and costs you money in the process.

Check to see if you have a solid seal on your windows, doors and appliances. This will ensure that you are not wasting energy and losing money due to an improper seal.

Turn Down Thermostat At Night

Many people are wasting money on electricity by turning up the heat in their house while they sleep. But research has shown that it’s actually healthier to sleep in cooler temperatures at night. If the temperature in your bedroom is too high, it’s much harder to get a good night’s rest.

Plus, turning down the thermostat at night is going to save you money over the long run. Reducing the heat in your home by 10 – 15 degrees at night and while you’re away can save you 10% on your electric bill every year.

Adjust Refrigerator/Freezer Temperatures

You don’t have to keep your refrigerator and freezer as cold as you think you do. Refrigerators should maintain a temperature of around 38 degrees to operate at peak efficiency. The temperature in your freezer should be set to 5 degrees.

If you’re keeping the temperature much lower than this, then you’re using up more energy than necessary and costing yourself more money. That’s because your appliances have to work much harder to maintain these low temperatures.

Make sure you regularly check the thermostat in your fridge and freezer to ensure they’re at the correct temperatures.

Replace Your Air Filter

Regularly replacing your air filters will not only be better for your health, it will also ensure that your HVAC system is operating efficiently. Dirty filters make your HVAC system work harder and waste more energy.

Set an alert to remind yourself to change your air filters every 30 days. This will make the air in your home cleaner, and will go a long way toward lowering your electric bill.

Wash Clothes In Cold Water

You probably have no idea that you’ve been doing laundry wrong all these years. First of all, most people wash their clothes way too often.

If you wash your clothes every time you wear them, you’re putting unnecessary wear and tear on the fabric. Not to mention, you’re wasting a lot of water.

And there is no reason to wash your clothes in hot water. Cold water washing is just as effective for more of your laundry needs. Plus, washing your clothes in cold water will reduce the amount of work your water heater has to do.

Get Rid Of Dust

You probably have a routine for dusting your blinds and furniture, but do you dust your appliances as well? If your appliances are dusty, they have to work harder than necessary.

And this doesn’t just apply to your air filters; the same goes for your refrigerator coils and other appliances as well. Keeping them free of dust is a great way to cut down on your monthly electric bill.

Use Smart Power Strips

One of the biggest energy wastes occurs when devices are plugged in but not in use. For instance, if your toaster is plugged in, it’s still consuming energy even if you aren’t using it. So you’re paying for energy that you aren’t even using.

This is where smart power strips can be helpful. Smart power strips detect when a device is in standby mode, then cut off the power to that device. Using smart power strips can drastically cut down on your energy usage and save you money in the process.

Plant Trees In Your Yard

Landscaping isn’t just about making the yard look nice; it can also be a strategic way to reduce your energy usage. Trees create shade and cool your home in summer months, and deciduous trees will enable sunlight to help heat the home in winter months.

Look For Discounted Rates

Some utility providers offer discounted rates at off-peak times of the day. Simply reducing your usage during high-volume times of day can result in a big savings on your electric bill. Peak hours will vary by state and by provider, so make sure to ask around to learn what your options are.

Use A Programmable Thermostat

One of the easiest ways to save money on your electric bill is by using a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat will automatically lower the temperature in your home at night and lower your usage during peak times.

Plus, a programmable thermostat can turn down the temperature while you’re at work or when you’re out of town. You may forget to do these things on your own, but a programmable thermostat will take care of the heavy lifting for you.

Some electric companies provide free programmable thermostats, so be sure to check with your provider and see if this is something they offer.

Take Cold Showers

The thought of taking a cold shower every morning may sound pretty unappealing, but don’t rule it out just yet. You should consider making cold showers a part of your daily routine for the health benefits alone.

Research has shown that cold showers can improve your circulation, boost your energy, boost your immune system, and improve the appearance of your skin.

Not to mention, cold showers are a great way to cut down on your hot water expenses. If you take a shower every morning, imagine how much hot water you could save by switching to cold showers even a couple of times per week.

Repair Leaky Ducts

Another way to save money on your heating and cooling is by repairing leaky ducts on all your appliances. If your air ducts aren’t properly insulated, they’re going to waste a lot of energy and cost you more money. Make sure you hire a professional to repair leaky ducts so you can ensure it’s done correctly.

Get A Low-Flow Shower Head

If you’re not ready to start taking cold showers but want to find a way to use less hot water, you can replace your current shower head with a low-flow one. A low-flow shower head is designed to reduce the amount of water you use during showers and make your home more water-efficient.

A low-flow shower head will cost more money up front, but will help you save in the long run since you’ll be using less hot water.

Buy Energy Efficient Appliances

Your dishwasher and washing machine won’t last forever, and it’s inevitable that you’ll need to replace home appliances over the years. When the time comes, consider replacing your current appliance with an energy-efficient appliance.

Energy-efficient appliances are a great investment that will yield significant long-term savings. For the best results, prioritize more commonly used items like your refrigerator, water heater, and dishwasher.

Install Dimmer Switches

Dimmer switches are a great way to save electricity in your home and create a welcoming ambiance in any room. Instead of just flipping a light switch on or off, a dimmer switch allows you to slowly increase or decrease the lighting in any room.

And the dimmer switches that are currently available only send the energy that is actually needed to power the bulbs. That means by using less light in each room, you’re also using less energy.

Install A Ceiling Fan

One of the easiest ways to save money on electricity is by installing and using ceiling fans. Ceiling fans consume far less energy than air conditioners. Plus, they work surprisingly well to cool both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Add Solar Panels

The best way to reduce your electric bill is by not using electricity at all. The best way to do this is by installing solar panel lighting. Outdoor solar panels absorb solar energy during the day, and then light up the outside of your home in the evening.

The only downside is that it can be pricey to install solar panels, but you will get to take advantage of the federal solar tax credit. This tax credit lets you deduct 26% of the cost of installation from your federal taxes.

Unplug Unused Devices

And finally, the energy drain from unused devices in your home can add up to hundreds of dollars a year. Fortunately, there is an easy solution to this problem. Make sure you unplug all of your appliances and electronics when they aren’t in use.

The Bottom Line

Hopefully, the previous 20 tips have shown you how easy it is to begin making simple changes and how to reduce your electricity bill. While most of these tips won’t save you tons of money by themselves, implementing several of them could take a big chunk out of your electric bill.

If you’re not sure where to start, the best approach is to hire a reputable company like ECS to perform a comprehensive home energy audit. The energy audit will give you a roadmap forward on where your money is best spent in order to reduce power and gas usage and maximize comfort in your home.

From there, you can decide which energy-saving techniques you want to implement.

The post 20 Ways to Lower your Home Energy Bills appeared first on Energy Consulting Services.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The ’90s slogan for enticing individuals to recycle ought to be repurposed as the new mantra for eco-friendly home projects. Reusing what you already have in your home substantially reduces the environmental impact of your project in three ways: first, by reducing old materials that end up in the landfill; second, by limiting the amount of dust in the air from demolition; and finally, by limiting the need for new products, which are often made with less-than-ideal materials full of chemicals harmful to the environment (and you!)

An added bonus is that if you’re preparing your home to go on the market, reusing materials and giving the home a facelift is a much better use of your time and dollars than doing a major renovation.

Eco-friendly examples of reusing materials include refacing and painting an existing bathroom vanity, reusing and resurfacing existing hardwoods instead of replacing, and resurfacing old bathroom tile.

Prioritize Sustainable Materials

If reusing materials isn’t an option, there are some home improvement materials more environmentally friendly than others. Bamboo is one of the best options because it can be harvested and regrown quickly and is very moisture-resistant, making it ideal for flooring.

Choosing safe materials for your next DIY project is another way to keep the environment in mind. Any new home material (paint, cabinets, carpets, windows) made in a manufacturing facility comes with the likelihood of “off-gassing” to occur. Off-gassing happens when new products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air of our homes over time. Sounds gross, right?

To combat off-gassing, you’ll need to research formaldehyde-free and eco-friendly materials before you buy. Time spent researching the best, most sustainable materials for your home will be repaid in lower environmental impact and better air quality for you and your family. For added ease, many paints already come in low-VOC or VOC-free formulas.

Eco-Friendly Landscaping

Landscaping projects boast very low environmental impact and are proven to provide a solid return on investment by boosting curb appeal. Anything you can do to add curb appeal provides prospective buyers with an excellent first impression of the home, which can go a long way to securing an offer.

Eco-friendly landscaping projects include reducing pesticides and other chemicals used to kill weeds, planting more flowers for bees and other pollinators to add color to your home’s exterior, putting in plants local to your area, limiting water use via sprinkler systems, and using solar powered landscape lighting instead of electrical.

Upgrade Outdated Appliances

Old, outdated appliances are an eyesore, and can be difficult to maintain and live with in day-to-day life. While you may be conflicted about adding appliance waste to landfills, new appliances are actually more sustainable because of their efficiency – they use using less water and energy than models of years past.

A new washing machine, for example, uses 25% less energy and 75% less water than appliances did 20 years ago. Data from the EPA finds switching to more efficient models can reduce water usage in a home by 20%.

Many cities further incentivize homeowners to make the switch to more eco-friendly appliances by providing rebates and discounts for those who make the change.

Door Replacements

Door replacements are a triple win for homeowners: they boost curb appeal, increase energy efficiency, and provide some of the most solid return-on-investment of all home upgrades. Findings from the annual Cost vs. Value Report published by Remodeling magazine reports garage door replacements recoup 94.5% of their value in a home sale, and entry doors recoup nearly 70%.

The good news: with a handful of smart choices, homeowners can substantially reduce the environmental impact of upgrades and renovations and enjoy a sleek, new space.

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The Energy Audit process

The first step to maximizing efficiency in the home is identifying what improvements should be made that have the biggest impact for the lowest cost. In a normal circumstance, the first step is to have a professional home performance company such as Energy Consulting Services (ECS) perform a home energy audit on your home. This is a deep diagnostic process that will determine exactly where your money is best spent and what specific improvements should be made to maximize efficiency and comfort in the home. Here’s an example of a real ECS energy audit report here: ECS audit report

Since we’re in the midst of a quarantine, our audit crews are only performing audits on vacant homes so this is likely not viable until the quarantine lifts. Therefore, we’d recommend addressing only the obvious low hanging fruit that you can DIY such as:

1. Upgrade all lightbulbs to LED’s.
2. Install weather stripping around leaky doors including knee wall doors. (this can be trickier than it sounds)
3. If you have a basement or crawlspace, apply clear silicone caulk along bottom and tops of baseboards.
4. Make sure fireplace flue vents are working properly and fully closed.
5. Run HVAC system on low temperature and pull back insulation at plenum and ductwork joints and feel for leakage. Then turn system off and apply liberal coating of mastic at leaky joints before reinstalling insulation.
6. Install smart thermostat such as NEST or Ecobee. (not hard for homeowner to install for most systems but there are exceptions – especially with heat pump or duel fuel heat pump systems)
7. Install low flow aerators on each sink and low flow showerheads in each shower.

Behavioral Modifications

We’re spending more time in the home than ever right now so there are multiple behavioral modifications you can make to reduce power and water consumption. Here are a few simple suggestions:

1. Turn off your lights when you are not in the room! For homes with all LED’s, the impact to the power bill will not be much but is still best not to be in the habit of wasting energy.
2. Don’t run dishwasher and washer/dryer until full.
3. Utilize smart thermostats to ensure you are not paying to heat or cool the home when you are not there. If you have two story home and bedrooms are upstairs, make sure to have downstairs system programmed to default to moderate temperature when you are sleeping at night and visa versa in the day.
4. Use fans in the summer as much as possible – particularly in the hot Georgia summers. 78 degrees can feel like 74 degrees with an overhead fan running and this allows you to run AC less therefore reducing power consumption and bill.

Big Ticket Weatherization Improvements

Once the quarantine lifts and you are able to have a proper energy audit performed on your home to determine the best strategy forward, some of the recommended improvements may be higher cost improvements. Here are some examples:

1. HVAC upgrade is sometimes needed and can have a terrific impact on both comfort levels and energy consumption. Heating and cooling costs represent >40% of energy costs in the average north Georgia home so maintaining an efficient HVAC unit is paramount to having a comfortable and efficient home.
2. Attic insulation is incredibly important in the north Georgia climate since it impacts both heating and cooling costs. Spray foam encapsulation is very impactful particularly if there is an HVAC unit and ductwork in the attic since the unit then works in moderate temperature environment. The only downside to foam is that it is expensive.
3. Subfloor insulation has a big impact in the winter months. If you have a crawlspace with HVAC and ductwork in it, encapsulating that crawlspace has big positive impact on cooling costs and also on improving air quality in the home.
4. Windows are a big deal especially if going from old leaky single pane windows to high efficiency low E double pane windows filled with argon gas. The only problem is that windows are very expensive with a slow ROI. However, windows do help with resale value which often does make this improvement worthwhile. Sometimes, high qualify low E storm windows are a nice lower cost alternative.
5. Replacing water heater with high efficiency unit. Water heaters use approximately 17% of energy consumption in the home so having an efficient unit is an important part of maximizing efficiency in the home.
6. Sealing ductwork is critical and not always that costly. However, we run across a lot of 30yr old leaky filthy ductwork systems that simply need to be replaced. This usually costs 2-3k so this improvement is not cheap. However, having clean sealed ductwork is a very important part of maximizing efficiency and air quality in the home.

Funding mechanisms

All of these improvements cost money and lots of people (like myself) don’t have lots of liquidity so there are options and ways to get it done even if the bank account is skinny. Home equity loans are one approach read more about how home equity loans work. Aside from this, many banks will do small unsecured loans for improvements <7k providing you have good credit. Just let us know and we are happy to point you in the right direction.

The post How to Keep Your Home Energy Efficient As You Spend More Time Inside due to COVID-19 Quarantine appeared first on Energy Consulting Services.

Although appliances have become part of most people’s daily lives, too much dependence can result in extremely high utility bills. Fortunately, there are ways you can conserve energy by using your appliances less. Keep reading to learn how much energy your appliances use and what to do about it.

Purchase Energy Efficient Appliances

Did you know that non energy efficient appliances can cause your utility bill to be hundreds of dollars higher than energy efficient alternatives? This is especially important for appliances that, by default, need a lot of energy to function.

Clothes dryers, for example, probably use more energy than any other appliance in your home. An energy efficient dryer will use 20% less electricity than a standard model saving hundreds of dollars in utility costs over your dryer’s lifetime. If you pair this with an energy efficient washing machine, you’ll stand to save around $50 per year on your utility bill.

If you want to take things a step further, you can make sure you’re using your appliances as efficiently as possible. For example, instead of washing a few items of clothing at a time, do large loads.

Perform Routine Maintenance Checks on Appliances

If you’re appliances are not functioning properly, it could be resulting in higher energy consumption. Things like old air filters and dirty ducts can cause your HVAC system to have to work harder to keep your home heated and/or cool.

Remember to change your air filters ever 3-6 months and clean your air ducts every 3 – 5 years. By performing regular maintenance, you can not only help keep your utility bill down, but you can also help increase your appliances’ lifespan.

Get a Professional Home Energy Audit

The first step to knowing how to adjust your energy usage is knowing exactly how much energy you’re using. A professional home energy audit will be able to tell you that. This assessment will give you a detailed breakdown of your home’s energy use. A professional auditor will go through each room and do an inspection.

Some audits even include a blower door test to determine your home’s air tightness. If the windows and doors in your home are not sealed tightly, that could also be contributing to excess energy usage.

Getting rid of your appliances probably isn’t a realistic solution for most people. However, adjusting how you use your using them is something almost everyone can do. Learning how to operate your appliances as efficiently as possible is an important step in understanding and decreasing your energy consumption. Being mindful of your appliances is not only good for your bank account, it’s good for the environment as well.

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If you’re trying to save money by reducing power and gas bills in your home, you may want to consider taking a look at your habits. You may not realize how much a few simple changes can save you. Try to think about if and how you strive to conserve energy in your home. Here are a few mistakes that may be driving up your energy bill.

1.   Heating or cooling when you’re away

Consider what’s being used in your home when you’re not there. Simply installing a smart thermostat in your home is a great start to saving energy. It allows you to automatically change the temperature of your home at certain times of the day. This is a great way to save on cooling and heating costs when you’re at work or sleeping.

2. Trying to instantly cool or warm up the house

When you’re hot or cold, do you find yourself trying to force the thermostat up by putting the heat or air conditioning way up or way down? It’s easy to think that it will make the process faster, however, it really only makes a difference on your energy bill. Try to limit how drastically you change the temperature of your home.

3. Forgetting to change the air filters

Not changing your air filter regularly can lead to numerous issues. Dirty filters contain pollutants and increase your electric bill due to the extra work needed from your furnace. Dirty filters are also harmful to your health, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Be sure to change your filter once a month to reduce the amount of energy it uses.

Make sure to check your home warranty plan, especially if your HVAC system is towards the end of its life. According to House Method, providers will pay between $1,500 and $2,000 for HVAC. You can save on replacement and service costs. and can send a technician to inspect the filters and replace as needed.

4. Not considering the windows and doors

Making sure that your doors and windows are sealed properly is crucial for saving energy. If you open your windows during a nice day, make sure to lock them shut. Failing to do so may result in cold air getting in or warm air getting out.

Additionally, make sure that all of your exterior doors are weatherstripped. This ensures that the space between the door and your home is sealed. Conservation Mart states that around 11% of all residential heat loss comes from doors. Examining the effectiveness of your doors and windows is a great start.

5. Having a poorly insulated home

Many homeowners fail to realize the power of insulation. The foam insulation company, Great Stuff, notes that the typical home has gaps and cracks that stretch a half-mile long. Take a look around your home and look for problem areas.

If you’re unsure of what a problem area might look like, call a professional to get a home energy audit. Hiring a consultant who understands best practices is ultimately the quickest and most effective way to start preserving energy and saving money.

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