Audit Insulation to Lower Utility Bills

Brought to you by American Power & Gas

Every household faces a big headache every month. This is when the mail comes and they get to see the bills from various utility companies. Utility bills are no joke. They tend to sum up to a hefty amount of money and it can consume a big bulk of the monthly budget. This is why considering strategies to know how to lower utility bills is an important matter.

There are many ways to lower your monthly utility bills and save money. First, audit your energy bills to make sure that you are getting a competitive rate on your energy supply. The energy professionals at American Power & Gas can help you with your bills. Second, turn your attention to your home. To get started you need to take time to inspect the whole house and see the options that you have. Audit your household, particularly the insulation. See the various changes that you can do to make energy use more efficient. This will be of big significance to your family in the years to come.

Audit Insulation

Audit insulation requires proper evaluation of the different factors in the household that contribute to energy use. This focuses on areas that don’t need the use of energy. Windows and doors are examples of spots where use of insulation is difficult. Knowing what these elements are will help you effectively determine how to maximize their use with the least amount of energy needed. This means being more efficient in your energy consumption so that money won’t be wasted. Never underestimate the importance of auditing your insulation system.

Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are areas that you have to double check for leaks. Your heating or cooling system will exhaust more energy if these areas are problematic. Be sure that your doors and windows are energy efficient. You can have these checked by feeling the temperature in the areas outside. You can also get a contractor to conduct tests for other possible leaks. You can also take into account other areas like the basement and crawlspaces.

Attics

Attics are normally seen as another storage room for old things. Still, don’t underestimate their role. Attics should have vents to maintain good circulation. You don’t need to add insulation here if the circulation is good enough. Be sure that there are no holes in the ceiling where air can escape from the attic. Sealing the possible holes can save you a big bulk of your energy consumption.

Fireplaces

The fireplace is a typical element for houses that go through colder climates. It is primarily used to get the smoke out of the house. However, they can pose problems, especially when not in use. The fireplace can continue to direct out the heat even if you don’t plan that. If it does, then your heating system will require more energy in order to sustain the requirements of the household. Be sure that your flue is closed when not in use. When this is left open, the heat in your house will leak out.

Once you have called American Power & Gas about your energy supply and audited the insulation in your household you will be ready for the colder weather coming. Make sure you have taken care of your home so it can take care of you this winter. Securing the proper insulation in areas in the house is one effective way to lower your utility bills and save more for the family. Look for more energy saving winterizing tips from the experts at American Power & Gas.

Fall Home Energy Savings Tips: Preparing for Winter

Brought to you by American Power & Gas

Whether you like it or not and whether you are prepared or not, winter is coming. It is not the time to sit on your couch and wait for it to come like doomsday; it is time to make sure you are prepared!

Winter means one thing: cold air. But for those who are conscious enough to notice, winter means larger electric bills. Yes, it is true. Winter is the season of the year where your electric bills skyrocket. Why? It’s simple. We need to keep our homes warm. Our home should be the right temperature to make us comfortable. The modern way to do this is by turning on our heating system. This consumes the biggest portion of our electric bill. Fortunately, we have the whole fall season to prepare for it. To prepare means that we must have the right tools and proper information on how to save during the coming season.

Your energy supplier– Check your electric bill and call American Power & Gas to have an explanation of the delivery and supply charges. Also, speak with an American Power & Gas representative about your options with money-saving energy or earth-saving green energy.

The fireplace – Getting your fireplace ready will certainly lead to better savings; and fall is the best time to clean and repair our fireplace. Make sure that the dumper is tightly sealed when not in use. A small space would let the cold air rush in and send the warm air out. If you are using an electric heating system, an opening on the fireplace would mean more work to maintain the warmth. Let a professional contractor to do the proper maintenance. They are capable of properly securing your fireplace. When you decide to use the fireplace, you can turn down your heater. Doing this can save you as much as 8% on your heating costs.

The duct – Small leaks on duct will certainly result in heat loss, so make sure that this is regularly checked. Usually ducts are located on unheated places, which is another reason why heat is lost. Insulate the ducts by wrapping it with R-6 or higher fiberglass. Never use cloth-backed tapes. You can also wrap them with UL-approved metallic or plastic tapes and mastic sealants. Leaking ducts create 30% more work for your heating system, so make sure they are sealed and secured.

The furnace – The furnace will put in extra effort if the filter is full of dirt. This will equate to energy waste since the furnace will consume more power against the service it brings. To avoid this, make sure that your filter is clean. The owner’s manual will tell you how to clean the filter. A clean filter will let you breathe clean air around your house. As a bonus, a clean filter saves you 5% on heating costs.

The solar heat – You do not need to have solar panels on your roof to use the sun as the source of heat. All you have to do is open your drapes during the day to warm your room without using electricity. Make sure that you close them at night to keep the warm air inside. Reduction of the use of heating system during the day will let you cut as much as 10% on your electric consumption.

The openings – Openings on your doors, windows, joints, and sills will let the cold air from outside in and the warm air from the inside out. Make sure that these openings are sealed with either sealant or weather-stripping. It will help reduce the work of the heating system immensely.

The thermostat – A programmable thermostat or a centralized heating system will let you save on heating costs. The programmable thermostat will let you set your desired room temperature for a specific period of the day. This is useful if you are leaving your home or are going to sleep elsewhere.
The centralized heating system, on the other hand, will give you the ultimate control on the temperature of every room. These will let you decide how warm a room could be. One interesting thing to note is that a centigrade lower on your heating system will save you as much as 5% on your heating cost.

The water heater – Households can set the heating system between 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This range is ideal on both mobile homes and regular homes.

Call American Power & Gas at (800)201-9011 today to discuss your options for lowering your energy supply cost.

How to Install a Programmable Thermostat for Lower Bills

Brought to you by American Power & Gas

Paying the utility bills can be such a big headache. They often take a big portion of the budget for any household. Thus, it is a good idea to learn how to lower your utility bills. There are various options that can help you achieve that goal. One of the quickest ways to do this is to install a programmable thermostat in your house.

Deciding to install a programmable thermostat in your household will definitely be good decision. Purchasing a decent programmable thermostat does not need to be expensive. The price can range from $55 to $100. This may seem pricey for some people, especially for those who have more than one heating or cooling unit in their household. However, you will enjoy more savings from your lower utility bills. The purchase price is merely a small outlay to keep you from paying more expenses.

Today, the energy costs of an average household are comprised largely of the heating and cooling system. This can range from 50% to 70%. The thermostat works by lowering the use of electricity by 1% for every eight hours of use of the cooling or heating unit. Considering this significance, you can’t ignore the importance of deciding properly on the type of thermostat that you will install.

Different Types of Thermostats

There are different types of thermostats that you can find on the market. They are generally classified as electromechanical and electronic. Each has its own features for your own use and convenience. They also have certain complexities that you should consider for your own circumstances.

Electromechanical Thermostats

These devices are sensitive to the changes in temperature in the environment to properly adjust the energy needed to be supplied by the thermostat. Most of these are made of mercury bulbs. Mercury is used to properly contact the environment and trigger the heating or cooling action. This kind has to be handled with care because mercury is toxic and hazardous to people. There are also electromechanical types that make use of sensing devices, either a strip or a bi-metal coil, rather than the mercury. This equipment will require special skills and tools. Make sure you leave the task of installation to the professionals.

Electronic or Programmable Thermostats

Electronic thermostats operate by using electronic elements that can sense heat. The circuits in the system will then turn on the heating or cooling component of the equipment depending on the temperature changes. These are commonly known as the programmable types. Choosing the programmable thermostat is definitely a better choice. People tend to forget things, and even the most organized person will do so when distractions get in the way. Setting the thermostat could be one of those important things that you might just forget. This won’t help your effort to lower utility bills.

The programmable thermostat can do the task for you at all times. You don’t need to worry about setting the right temperature when you aren’t home if you have this type of thermostat installed in your household. It solves the problem by setting the program to conform to the time or temperature in the environment. You can easily schedule the temperature to change depending on the activities that you will do throughout the week. It saves you energy, as well your time and effort.

Non-Programmable Digital Thermostats

This type of thermostat is known for utilizing temperature sensing-devices that are solid-state. The device is known as the thermistor. They are easier to install. Any person with basic knowledge on control wiring can hook this up. However, it is best to hire a professional to avoid any mistakes and undesirable consequences.

There are many different kinds of thermostats that you can choose from on the market. All it takes is for you to choose the right kind for your household and have it installed. This is something you have to do to effectively lower your utility bills. This way you can save more. You can also save money by lowering your energy supply cost. Contact the professionals at American Power & Gas today.

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 American Power & Gas (800) 210-9011.