Whether you rent or own your home in the Omaha area, monthly energy bills can add up. Maintaining comfortable temperatures seems to cost more and more every year, especially during the summer. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to lower your utility bills.
Investing in them now can save you a lot of money in the long run. Many of these methods will provide additional benefits for you and your home.
The best way to accomplish them is with the help of a trusted local heating and cooling company like A-1 United Heating, Air and Electrical, who serves Omaha, NE, and surrounding communities. We offer professional repair for all brands and installation services for a wide variety of energy-efficient HVAC equipment.
Our technicians are also highly knowledgeable about other steps you can take to keep utility bills low. If we work together, we can maximize your savings. Here are our top 10 tips for lowering your utility bills.
1. Keep HVAC Equipment Running Smoothly
Heating and cooling equipment requires the largest amount of energy of all your appliances. Your heat or AC bills can make up more than 50% of your monthly utility bills. Make sure your equipment is kept in the best possible condition for maximum energy efficiency through air conditioning maintenance and furnace maintenance.
A-1 United offers comprehensive HVAC maintenance agreements designed to get the most out of your heating and cooling. You’ll also receive benefits like priority service and discounts on repairs. Routine HVAC maintenance may lower your utility bills by as much as 30%. In some cases, they can even extend your equipment’s overall life span!
2. Track Monthly Energy Use
You have unique habits for energy use. Identifying them can offer guidance for increasing energy efficiency when you need it most. Keep track of your monthly energy use and discuss it with your trusted A-1 United technician. They can help you find solutions for whatever uses the most energy in your home.
If you want to make your home more efficient, Omaha Public Power District also offers several incentives for energy-efficient upgrades. These include incentives for solar energy, air conditioning, smart thermostats and more.
3. Improve Your Home’s Insulation
Nearly 90% of homes in the United States don’t have enough insulation, according to the Insulation Institute. In a climate like the Omaha area, you should have at least 16-18” of insulation in your attic.
Inadequate insulation can cause temperature swings and affect your comfort. As a result, your heating and cooling system will have to run more frequently to keep you comfortable.
4. Seal Any Air Leaks
If your ductwork has separated or has crimped, air can escape through the openings. The leaks can reduce air circulation. As a result, your heating and cooling system will need more energy to provide the same amount of temperature control. Leaks can be hard to pinpoint without professional help since ductwork can be in your attic or behind walls or ceilings.
Air can also leak under doors or through windows. Patch any gaps using caulk or trim to keep indoor air where it belongs.
5. Install and Protect Energy-Efficient Windows
Extreme heat and cold can seep in through windowpanes, especially if you have single-pane windows. Switching to ENERGY STAR® certified double-pane windows can save you as much as $101–$583 annually on heating and cooling bills.
Air can also move between small gaps in your windows. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal these as tightly as possible.
6. Upgrade Lighting Fixtures
Incandescent bulbs are becoming less common as energy-efficient LEDs take their place. These lights provide equal or greater energy efficiency and don’t need to be replaced as often. They also radiate less heat.
If you’re looking to upgrade your lighting to more energy-efficient fixtures, our electricians can help. But don’t forget that responsible use can also lower utility bills. Keep lights and other electrical fixtures off if you’re not using them.
7. Research Green and Renewable Energy Solutions
Installing solar panels or a geothermal heating and cooling system can result in outstanding energy efficiency. Not to mention it can also make you eligible for valuable rebates and even federal tax credits. If you have solar panels and end up generating more energy than you use, your power company may compensate you for the extra electricity you return to the grid.
8. Take Advantage of Smart Home Technology
Smart home technology is rapidly growing in popularity. For your heating and cooling system, this includes smart thermostats which learn your desired temperatures and create energy-efficient schedules.
At A-1 United, we install Lennox® and Honeywell® smart thermostats to make heating and cooling your home less complicated. And more energy efficient!
9. Trust Professional Opinions
As your local heating and cooling company, A-1 United understands how to best lower your utility bills. Our team of friendly, experienced professionals considers your
comfort and financial wellbeing our top priorities. We’ll make sure any services we provide serve your best interests.
10. Install Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
If your heating and cooling equipment is getting old, now is a great time to start planning for replacement. We proudly partner with Lennox® to provide you with energy-efficient air conditioning installation in Omaha, NE, and furnace installation in Omaha, NE. A new heating and cooling system can save you up to 30% on your energy bills, especially when paired with a smart thermostat.
A-1 United Knows How to Lower Utility Bills
The utility professionals at A-1 United Heating, Air & Electrical have years of experience finding ways to save you money. We offer many services designed to maximize energy efficiency all year. Give us a call at 402-593-7500 today to learn how we can customize energy savings for your home.