Though Arizona enjoys plenty of sunshine all year long, winter does occasionally roll in with chilly rains and overnight lows dipping below freezing. That has certainly been the case this January. So, don’t be surprised when you discover an unusually high electricity bill after a particularly prolonged cold snap.
If the burden of boosting thermostats to maintain comfortably toasty living spaces during periodic cold fronts puts a freeze on your wallet, then you’ll want to take a look at some energy saving ideas for reducing those painful heating expenditures this winter.
Monitor Weather and Adjust Accordingly
Rather than keeping heating systems mindlessly cranking away at the same level night and day, pay attention to daily temperature forecasts so you can appropriately tweak settings. Why heat the house to 72 degrees as another warm sunny afternoon approaches? Before leaving your home, setback your thermostat 5-10 degrees or better yet program your thermostat to do this automatically.
Seal Air Leaks Thoroughly
Vigilant caulking and sealing of sneaky air leaks around outlets, windows, wiring, pipes, and doors prevents costly hot air loss and uncomfortable drafts. You’ll also want to ensure attic hatches and fireplace dampers are tightly closed when not in use.
Utilize Efficient Supplemental Heating
Strategically using well-placed space heaters or gas fireplace inserts rather than heating your entire living spaces can easily create a warm atmosphere and save money on energy costs. Just ensure adequate safety mechanisms are in place especially when operating portable heaters and never leave portable units unattended.
Adjust Water Heater Settings
Simply dialing back standard tank water heaters to 120 degrees and wrapping them with insulation blankets greatly reduces energy drain while still meeting your home’s hot water needs. You may want to consider installing inexpensive on-demand recirculation pumps too.
Upgrade Home Insulation
While adding insulation isn’t something you would think about doing to save money, it can prevent precious heated air from escaping outside. You’ll also want to target any weak attic access points and garage doors to limit heated air loss.
Wisely adjusting thermostats, sealing off leaks, utilizing gas fireplaces and portable heaters, adding additional insulation where it’s needed, and lowering water heater temps provide the best techniques for keeping comfy and avoiding a chilly surprise on your next month’s utility bill. For additional energy saving tips this winter, call your professionals today at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating at 480-968-5652. We’re available to help you 24/7.
