4ways-lowerelectricty

4 Ways to Effectively Lower Your Winter Heating Bill

by with No Comment Expert Advice

As the first real cold front makes its way through the state, many Texans are blasting the heat for the first time this season. Although Houston’s winters are typically in the 50s, this seems like a pretty low temperature when you consider the fact that we’ve spent the last five months in the sweltering Texas heat. Heating your home in the late fall is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to be costly. Try some of these helpful tips if you’re looking to keep your heating bills low this winter season:

  1. Adjust your vents and ceiling fans

Once a room is properly heated, you should close any and all vents to prevent draining energy. Additionally, many people don’t realize that most ceiling fans come with directions so that you can still utilize them in the winter. In the summer, a counterclockwise ceiling fan pushes cool air downwards. Alternatively, if you switch the rotation to clockwise, your ceiling fan will push air upwards and allow for your home’s warm air to be more circulated.

  1. Turn down your water heater

It takes a lot of energy to warm up water, especially when the temperature is low outside. Lowering your water heater’s temperature by just 10°F can save you up to five percent on your water heating costs—A temperature of about 120°F is still high enough to give you all the warm water you need without showing a noticeable difference in temperature. It also helps to turn your water heater off before you leave town for an extended period of time.

  1. Don’t fiddle with your thermostat

As a general rule of thumb, you should set and forget your thermostat. It’s easy to get trigger happy and try to get your home to a comfortable temperature quickly. But thermostats are self-regulating and work to keep your home at one constant temperature. Constantly changing the temperature will show itself on your energy bill because it takes a tremendous amount of energy to stop and start. It’s more inefficient, and you’re better off running your furnace for longer, steadier times. Try to program your thermostat to a lower setting while you’re gone for work, and adjust it once when you return.

  1. Install residential window films

Your home’s walls and ceilings come with insulating properties that can help control the interior climate. Unfortunately, an untreated window does nothing to trap warm air in your home. A window film, however, can insulate your windows and can keep more heat inside your home during winter. This will cause you to need less heat and spend less money. You’ll also reap the benefits of window films come summer—cooling costs will be lower because the film will trap cool air. It’s a long-term investment that’s a win-win no matter the season.

5Ways

5 Ways to Make Your Home More Environmentally Friendly

by with No Comment Expert Advice
  1. Avoid plastic

We’ve all heard the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle.” But recycling is actually the least desirable of those three, in part because only about 50% of what you put into your recycle bin actually gets recycled. Reducing and reusing is a far better move for the environment. Focus more on purchasing less plastic, and giving new life to the items you currently have. Bags, envelopes, papers, boxes, and containers can all have a longer life cycle than we typically take advantage of.

  1. Conserve water

Water isn’t free, but it’s usually pretty cheap; this can cause Americans to waste a lot of it. But even if it doesn’t come with a hefty price tag, more and more areas struggle from droughts, which is why cutting back on water usage is more important than ever. Small actions like turning off the tap while you brush your teeth, fixing leaks, cutting your showers short, and refraining from running your dishwasher until it’s absolutely full can help reduce your water usage.

  1. Be mindful of the products you buy

One way to do this is to think twice before shopping altogether. Ask yourself if you really need to consume more. If the answer is yes, read labels to ensure you’re minimizing your impact on the planet. Opt for products that don’t endanger wildlife and are made of recycled goods. If you’re buying food, plan wisely to prevent food waste.

  1. Go solar

Solar panels have become more and more popular as of recently, especially in places like Houston where we get an average of 204 sunny days per year. Embracing the sun as an energy source can seriously cut your electricity bill and add value to your property. Contributing to this industry can create local jobs, protect the environment, and boost the country’s energy independence.

  1. Outfit your windows with window film

Solar panels aren’t the only way to use the sun to your advantage; applying a film to your home’s windows is another great option. Windows film is sustainable in more ways than one. The sun-blocking film keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, which will prevent the need for cranking the AC or heater. Your wallet won’t be the only one thanking you for lower energy costs—the environment also wins. Additionally, window film replaces the need for blinds and drapes. This will keep you from consuming unnecessary products that will end up in a landfill some years from now.