How to Lower Your Energy Bill

LCS

Although energy bills come year round, we all seem to really notice when they are higher than usual. In the Midwest, we call this winter! The time of year when you turn the heat down, wear polar fleece long johns during all hours, and say that yes, you are perfectly comfortable in 55° F.

Rest assured, there are easier (less fleecy) ways to lower your energy bill in winter – and year round.

At LCS Kleen-Aire, we can see that the way we think about and use energy is changing as the world becomes more environmentally conscious. Of course, it’s better for our world to be more efficient, but believe us, it’s also better for our wallets!

As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling.  As an air system ages and becomes soiled, mechanical errors can contribute to lowered efficiency. Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort…and lower energy costs by up to 30%.

That said, there are a couple of very common practices that can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort – without having to purchase a new state-of-the-art HVAC system.

Sealing and insulating the air ducts in your home can save up to 20% on heating costs. It’s best to first focus on sealing ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, unheated basement, or garage. You can use duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts. After sealing the ducts in those spaces, you can wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in the summer or cold in the winter.

Remember the days of putting plastic up on your windows? Fortunately, there are more attractive ways to seal and insulate your home, like using caulk, weather stripping, and insulation. You can also add more insulation to your attic to block out the cold – and keep the heat in. Checking for leaks around the chimney and other outlets in your home is key making sure your home is properly sealed.

And of course, we can’t neglect the air ducts!

If you are concerned about the energy efficiency of your home and would like to have an LCS Kleen-Aire professional come out and take a look at the state of your air ducts or chimney, please feel free to call us (417.883.5220) or drop us an email!

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