If you’re looking to lower your energy bill, chances are you won’t have to do anything too drastic, like lighting candles or taking cold showers. Here’s a look at five common energy wasters you may not even be aware of.

Air Leakage

It takes a lot of energy to heat or cool your home to a comfortable temperature, so when air leaks through cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation, your hard earned money may as well be leaving with it. Seal crevices and gaps near windows and doors with caulk or foam to keep the air you want in, and the air you don’t want out.

Air can also leak from your heating and cooling ducts into your attic, crawlspace, basement or garage, where it’s not much use to you. Having a professional technician seal your ducts can improve the efficiency of your HVAC unit by as much as 20 percent.

Your Water Heater is Too Hot

Your water heater may go up to 140 or 160 degrees, but rarely will you ever need to use water this hot. Turning the dial down to 120 degrees or less can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your energy bill.

Old HVAC Equipment

The energy used by your home’s heating and cooling system can make up nearly half of your energy bill costs, so make sure your HVAC is running at peak performance. Current HVAC technology is far more efficient than older models, and this means that if your HVAC is old, it could be costing you. Over time, having a new HVAC system installed could end up paying for itself!

New technology also gives you the option to install a programmable thermostat, which can help to reduce your energy bill by allowing you to set temperatures for certain times of the day.

Incandescent Light Bulbs

Traditional incandescent light bulbs have almost become obsolete with all more efficient options now available. If you do have incandescent light bulbs lingering in your home, they’re probably one of your biggest energy-sucking culprits. Make the switch to CFL or LED light bulbs, which are both very easy to find!

Lack of HVAC Maintenance

Again, because your HVAC system uses so much energy, it’s important that it runs as efficiently as possible. From a professional tuneup to something as simple as changing your air filter every month, regular maintenance will keep your HVAC unit operating to the finest of its abilities. Your unit and your wallet will thank you.

There are many simple ways to cut energy costs, and taking good care of your HVAC system is one of them. At One Hour Air Largo, we offer state-of-art equipment that will help make your family more comfortable and your energy bill lower. We also offer a variety of maintenance programs to make taking care of your HVAC easy!

Visit our website today to learn more about how we can help you lower your energy bill.