Top 10 Tips to Reduce Your Utility Bills

Tip #1

Minimize ceiling and attic heat retention during summer by upgrading your insulation.

As much as 83% of heat gain in the summer takes place through the ceiling and roof. Reflective insulation reflects the sun’s heat before it can penetrate your home. You use less air conditioning to keep your home comfortable all summer long. According to the Department of Energy, homeowners can expect up to 17% cooling savings depending on climate, current amount of insulation in the attic, and household energy use. Many Eagle Shield customers claim to have seen even higher results, but these results have not been scientifically verified by a 3rd party.

Tip #2

Minimize ceiling and attic heat loss during the winter by upgrading your insulation.

Just as your ceiling and roof retain heat during the summer, they release heat during the winter as the hot air rises and escapes through your roof.

As you run your furnace during the winter to heat your home, reflective insulation in your attic reflects that heat right back into your home. You spend less money on heating while staying warm and comfortable.

 

Tip #3

Increase your home’s air circulation with Solar Attic Fans.

Consider using solar attic fans along with your air conditioner to increase your home comfort. They can lower your energy bills and extend the life of your air conditioner. When your attic temperatures rise in the summer, proper ventilation can reduce those high temperatures by up to 50°F. With an attic fan you can be just as comfortable with the thermostat set at 78 degrees as you would with air conditioning alone set to 72 degrees. For each degree you raise the thermostat, you save you 3-5% on air conditioning costs.

Tip #4

Boost your home’s insulation with solar window and skylight shades.

Block the sun – not your view – with energy-saving solar window and skylight shades.

The home cooling and energy savings potential of solar window and skylight shades is exceptional.

Fabricated using radiant barrier reflective technology, they effectively reduce the movement of heat entering or leaving your home. That makes them just as effective in the summer as in the winter.

 

Tip #5

Weatherize to prevent phantom air leaks.

Have you ever noticed how certain rooms in your home feel drafty? As it settles into its foundation, almost every home experiences air leaks. In fact, the average house—even when well-insulated—contains cracks and gaps between building materials that add up to a hole about 14 inches square.

Look for these energy-wasting leaks around the gaskets on your exterior wall outlets and switches, doors and windows, exterior cracks, chimneys, close dryer vents and built-in air conditioners.

Tip #6

Upgrade your windows.

Windows can be one of your home's most attractive features. Windows provide views, daylighting, ventilation, and solar heating in the winter. Unfortunately, they can also account for 10% to 25% of your heating bill. During the summer, your air conditioner must work harder to cool hot air from sunny windows. Install energy-saving double-paned windows and solar window shades to give your air conditioner and energy bill a break. If you live in the Sun Belt, look into low-e windows, which can cut the cooling load by 10% to 15%.

Tip #7

Install a programmable thermostat.

The use of a programmable thermostat to manage your energy use throughout the day can save big money. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save about $150 every year in energy costs. It’s important to adjust for your summer living habits.

Tip #8

Replace incandescent with CFL light bulbs.

In addition to the significant energy savings CFL bulbs provide while lighting your home, they also produce virtually no heat. If you have 30 standard light bulbs on in your home, they collectively put off as much heat as a small space heater. You can keep the house much cooler by installing CFL light bulbs.

Tip #9

Maintain your heating and cooling system.

No matter what kind of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system you have in your house, you can save money and increase your comfort by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment. But remember, an energy-efficient furnace alone will not have as great an impact on your energy bills as using the whole-house approach. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, by combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with appropriate insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings, you can cut your energy use for heating and cooling, and reduce environmental emissions, anywhere from 20% to 50%.

Tip #10

Insulate with radiant barrier coating.

Truly a space age product, radiant barrier coating can be applied to any surface—walls, ceilings and floors—but it is most effective when used under roofs.

Roof surfaces are generally much hotter than sidewalls. Up to 80% of the summer heat gain is from above. When applied to building materials under the roof, radiant barrier coating can block up to 75% of the radiant heat from entering a home or building.