Energy Saving Tips

Did you know heating and cooling account for approximately 40 percent of your home's energy expenses? In Texas, heating isn't the issue...it's cooling the house during the seemingly never-ending summer heat! How can you reduce your energy bill this summer? Even the smallest change can make a difference. Below are some of our top energy-saving tips:

Cover Your Windows

Shut your blinds during the day and only open them at night or early in the morning if you are looking for some natural light. If you have curtains, closing them during the day will keep the interior of your home even cooler.

Use Your Ceiling Fan

A ceiling fan is an excellent source of ventilation and helps maintain circulation throughout the home. The breeze created by the ceiling fan can make any room feel up to eight degrees cooler.

Shut Off Heat Generating Appliances

It turns out; the majority of our everyday appliances produce heat. At the very least, refrain from doing laundry and cooking anything in the oven or on the stove on extremely hot days. If you don't have another option, use the laundry room fan or hood fan to help maintain circulation.

Regulate the A/C

While going without air conditioning in Texas is impossible, there are ways to control how much energy you are using. Try moving the thermostat up a couple of degrees during the day – each degree you raise the thermostat saves seven to 10 percent on your cooling costs. If you like sleeping at a cooler temperature, you can move your thermostat down a couple of degrees at night – as at that night your air conditioner isn't working quite as hard as it is during the day.

Smart Home Thermostat

A smart thermostat may be a great investment during the never-ending heat of a Texas summer. These thermostats allow you to decrease or increase the temperature in your home remotely – and, as a bonus, some will even learn your habits and know when you are home or when you are away. A smart thermostat can save you five to 15 percent on annual heating and cooling bills, according to Energy.gov.

Free Energy Inspection

Do you know where you use the most energy? If not, consider asking your power company to conduct a free energy inspection. These professionals will tell you exactly where you are using the most energy and make recommendations on how to cut your bills.

What energy saving tips do you recommend? Send them our way – we would love to add them to our list!

Do you have any questions about the Austin area? We are here to help you get more from your move; give us a call anytime.