It’s that time again—tax season. While you’re staring down piles of paperwork, it may alleviate your headache (somewhat) to think about ways you can cut down on your energy bills.
The bottom line? Going green can help you save green, too. Here are five tips to help you start saving money today:
Before you can start slashing those utility bills, you will need to evaluate where your home energy usage stands today. Connected products like the IDS Premium Connected take the guesswork out of it for you by pulling in data directly from your unit into an app (such as the Bosch EasyAir), where you can easily monitor your usage from month to month. The Bosch EasyAir App will even suggest energy savings tips for you based on your current trends. If you don’t have a connected heat pump, you could also look at your past bills and manually note your average monthly usage, as well as any major spikes.
There are professional home energy assessment services available if you are looking for a more thorough evaluation. For a cheaper option, you can also conduct a DIY assessment – here is a DIY checklist from Energy.gov to help you get started.
Are there times when you don’t need to run the heating and cooling as much as usual? Try setting your thermostat so that the AC/heat does not kick on as much during times when you aren’t home, such as when you are at the office or on vacation.
Here is another tip: you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling simply by setting your thermostat back by 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. If you try this tactic, please note that homes in temperate climates will likely see greater savings than those in harsh climates.
Left home but forgot to adjust your thermostat? Bosch smart thermostats allow you to remotely control your home temperature on the go.
A clean heat pump is a healthy heat pump. Changing or cleaning your air filter at least every three months is a great way to keep your unit running smoothly and efficiently without any lint or debris gumming up the works. However, if you are currently experiencing air quality issues due to heavy construction, you may need to change your filter more frequently.
We say this a lot on our blog, but we cannot emphasize this point enough. Getting your HVAC checked out by a qualified service technician at least once a year is the best way to keep your unit in good working condition. A professional contractor will be able to identify early warning signs with your unit that could cause problems (and run up your utility bills) later on down the road.
Contractors typically charge between $69-$89 for maintenance inspections. To find a Bosch technician, please check out our Dealer Locator Search.
Our last tip can help you to save money on more than just your monthly utility bill.
Bosch Thermotechnology has numerous products that qualify for federal, state, and local credits and incentives. Our geothermal heat pumps, tankless water heaters, and high-efficiency boilers are designed to save energy, money, and reduce dependence on non-renewable natural resources. Visit our Tax Credit & Rebates page to learn more about available incentives in your area.