Home Energy Tips For Springtime Money Savings

With the amount of time we’re spending in our Rhode Island homes this spring, we’re relying on our home comfort systems more than usual – and that’s bound to be reflected in our energy bills.

To try to reduce some of those bills, it’s important to do everything possible to curb our energy use. Here are some tips to do just that.

7 ways to save on your home energy:

1. Adjust the temperature of your water – Most water heater manufacturers use a default water temperature setting of about 140 degrees – more heat than you usually need for a good hot shower or load of wash or dishes*. Drop the maximum temperature by 20 degrees and you’ll shave 10-15 percent off your water heating bill with no loss of comfort. Here’s a video to show you how.
2. Use ceiling fans – Ceiling fans work great – especially in combination with your home HVAC equipment. Adjust the rotation of your fan (see manufacturer’s instructions for reversing fan spin) to blow rising warm air back into the room when heating, and to draw sinking cool area into the living space when cooling.
3. Install or program your thermostat – Why pay to heat (or cool) the house when there’s no one home – or when you’re asleep? Today’s programmable thermostats are smarter and simpler than ever – and with the energy they save they could pay for themselves in as little as one year. If you already have a programmable thermostat but don’t know how to use it, now is the perfect time to learn.
4. Change your laundry habits – Always run your washing machine with a full load. Skip warm and hot water washes (today’s detergents work equally well on cold and warm settings), and dry your clothes on a line or rack rather than with a dryer.
5. Change your furnace filters – This simple step will increase your furnace’s efficiency by as much as 10-15 percent AND increase the lifespan of your system. Check your filter at least once every 30 days, changing when needed.
6. Schedule maintenance for your heating system – You wouldn’t skip maintenance on your car, would you? Don’t do it with your furnace or boiler, either. Without routine service, your heating system will lose efficiency and become less reliable over time. A Vaughn Oil Service Plan will make sure that doesn’t happen.
7. Consider sensible heating system upgrades – A new, high-efficiency furnace or boiler can save you 30 percent or more on your monthly energy bills – enough to offset the cost of replacement in just a few years, especially when you consider other incentives that can reduce the cost of installation.

Looking for other ways to save money on a home heating system in Rhode Island? Vaughn Oil can help. Contact us today to learn more.

Please note: At Vaughn Oil, your safety and comfort are always our priority. Please see our COVID-19 Service Update Page to learn more about how we are working to keep your family and our crews safe and your home comfort systems working through this challenging time.

* Maintain 140° temperatures if anyone in your home has a compromised immune system