As a homeowner, you may be constantly looking for ways to save money on energy bills. Don’t fall for these common electricity usage myths that could actually cost you money:
Lower heating and cooling bills with a more efficient HVAC system. While you will waste less fuel with a more efficient air conditioner or furnace, most homeowners never unlock the full potential of their improved systems. An improper installation, poor unit sizing and/or poor air sealing and insulation in your home will cause you to only see a fraction of the expected benefits from your new heating or cooling system.
Cranking up the thermostat will heat up your home faster. If you have a forced-air furnace, which most homeowners do, it likely has a fixed airflow. This means that even if you turn up the thermostat higher, it will heat at the same rate. You will then waste heat when you overshoot your original target and you won’t get to that target any faster.
Appliances don’t use energy when off. While appliances and electronics don’t consume a ton of energy, if you have a lot of them, the energy waste can add up over time. These so-called “energy vampires” use energy even when the device is supposedly turned off.
Energy conservation is the same as energy efficiency. Energy efficiency is a term that corresponds to the amount of fuel wasted. Conservation, on the other hand, refers to using less fuel in the first place. It’s a good idea to maximize both energy efficiency and conservation to see the biggest savings on your energy bills.
It’s better to keep the A/C running than turning it off and re-cooling air. Except in cases of extreme outside heat, turning off your A/C will save you energy and money when you’re away from home. The reason is that most modern homes are fairly efficient at retaining conditioned air through the day. The exception, as mentioned, is during excessively hot weather. If your indoor temperatures rise into the high 80s or even the 90s, your A/C will likely struggle to regain your comfort zone.
For professional help on lowering your Fresno area home’s energy bills, or if you have more questions about electricity usage myths, please contact Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about electricity usage myths and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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