As the weather turns colder in the Surrey, White Rock and Langley area, energy bills tend to start to get a little more expensive, as lights are often kept on longer and the furnace remains in use for a few consecutive months. Luckily, there are some simple ways to reduce the cost of your energy bill this fall. Many of these energy-saving tips can be completed quickly and without any assistance, although you may want to consider enlisting the help of a quality electrical contractor like the ones at BPM Electric for advice and assistance with maintenance around your house. To get started on saving energy in your home, check out these tips that can help you reduce the cost of your energy bill this fall.
1. Change the Furnace Air Filter
A dirty air filter in your furnace can really put a strain on your entire heating system, making it work harder and ultimately cost you more money. If a filter goes unchanged for too long this can also become a more serious problem, often resulting in a total breakdown during the peak cold season, which no one wants to deal with. Most furnace filter replacements are available to purchase at your local hardware or home improvement store, and are easy to replace on your own. If you are unsure about how to proceed when replacing the filter, or were unable to find the correct replacement, it is best to call in an expert to help you solve the problem.
2. Update Your Hot Water Heater
Your furnace isn’t the only major appliance that can end up costing you on your energy bill this fall. The hot water heater in your home may also be contributing to the increase on your bill, especially if it is an older model. As years go by, your hot water heater becomes less and less efficient, meaning it takes more and more energy to heat up the same amount of water. If your water heater is more than ten years old (you can check the manufacture date which is usually printed on the tank), you may wish to have a heating and electrical expert inspect it and make recommendations for a replacement. Newer and more efficient tankless models are a great alternative to the storage tank water heaters that are more common in older homes, since the tankless heater provides hot water on demand rather than constantly keeping a large tank of water hot at all times.
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3. Seal Windows, Doors, Crawl Spaces, and Openings
This simple, yet effective little chore can help save you a great deal of money in the long run when it comes to heating your entire home. Over the hot summer months, seals around your windows, doors and any other spaces around your home can crack and deteriorate. That is why it is a good idea to use a quality caulking sealer to fill in these cracks and spaces where heat can escape during the cold season. Be sure to use the appropriate type of caulking around these areas, particularly if you are applying the sealer on the exterior of your home.
4. Purchase a Programmable Thermostat for Your Heating System
Over the past few years, thermostat technology has really turned a corner in terms of convenience and ease of use. Today, rather than having to leave your thermostat on all day while you are out of the house so you can come home to a warm house, you can install a programmable thermostat that will allow you to set when your heating system goes on and off throughout the day. This can end up saving you a nice chunk of change over the winter and fall months, not to mention the energy savings alone that can go a long way towards reducing your family’s carbon footprint. At BPM, we can recommend a top quality thermostat that will suit your needs, and have it installed quickly and correctly so you can get back to your normal daily routine.
5. Arrange for an Electrician to Inspect Your Entire Electrical System
If you are unsure about what issues or appliances that are costing you the most energy in your home, or how to go about solving any of those issues on your own, one of the easiest ways to get started is by arranging for a complete inspection of your home’s electrical systems by a certified electrical expert. At BPM, we will provide you with an honest and straight-forward assessment of what you can do to make your home more energy efficient, and how we can help you get started. With winter right around the corner, now is a great time to make an appointment and get started saving on your energy bills. You can give us a call, or contact us through our website to set up your inspection today. We look forward to hearing from you!
