6 Ways Energy Companies Can Save You Money

One of the services of energy companies is to be a provider of heating and cooling systems to homes and businesses. While providing customers with heating and cooling services, they are also concerned about energy conservation and energy costs. Here are six ways that energy companies are trying to save you money on your bills. Let's start with residential systems.

Insulation Works


A residential air conditioner provides a cooling system for a majority of American homes. In fact, approximately two-thirds now have air conditioners. Gone are the days when air conditioning was a luxury! Now, for health, comfort and resale value reasons, among others, it is practically a necessity. Sealing leaks and making sure your home is properly insulated will help keep energy costs down. This includes insulating walls and ceilings in addition to doors and windows.

Change the Filters

For proper operation, the type of maintenance that is suggested includes changing the filters a few times per year, making sure the system is properly insulated, preferably by professional insulation contractors, and having the system and the heat pump inspected twice a year. This will help avoid HVAC repairs. It will also help keep energy costs down by not overworking the system.

Check for Contaminants

Contaminants accumulate in any heating and air conditioning system. And overworking the system can lead to wasting between 25% and 40% of the energy being used to run it, reports the U.S. Department of Energy. So it is imperative to keep the unit clean and well-maintained. Also, it is important to know your energy usage.

Trees, Fans and Blinds

Some other recommendations on how to reduce energy use include lowering the blinds, using a fan, and keeping the thermostat temperature up a degree or two in summer and down a degree or two in winter. Being in a shaded area will also help, as shade trees keep an area cooler naturally, without any energy costs. These tips will help to keep avoid air conditioner repair due to overtaxing the cooling system.


Now, let's take a brief look at industrial and commercial systems and see how energy companies are working to reduce their energy costs, too.


Industrial Systems

An industrial air conditioning and heating system is an absolute must to keep materials, equipment and products from overheating. In a large industrial environment, the air conditioning is more commonly referred to as a cooling system. Clearly, it is critical to the effective operation of the business. Again, proper upkeep is of utmost importance, here, too, which helps keep costs down.


Commercial Systems

A commercial system operates in an area which sees a lot of foot traffic, such as a restaurant, school, mall or airport, just to cite a few examples. It is designed mostly for the comfort of the clients and employees and to keep merchandise fresh as well. By using more LED lighting and energy-efficient incandescents, energy companies can help reduce energy use. By cutting use from approximately one-third to 80% can also reduce energy bills. This tip also pertains to industrial and residential customers, too.


Most energy companies would be willing to prepare a quote for the energy needs of your home or business. A heating and cooling system has many benefits for residential, commercial and industrial locations. In general, it improves the quality of life for those utilizing the spaces, whether it is a residence or a business. Making the system more affordable and more energy efficient is a great benefit for everyone.

Looking to Save Energy This Winter? Check Out These Simple Tips

When the temperatures outside begin to drop, most homeowners decide to crank up the heat. But while the inside of your home may be nice and cozy, you may see a drastic increase in your energy bill. Fortunately, you can stay warm all winter long while making conscious decisions to reduce energy usage at home. So if you're looking for ways to save on energy this winter, here are a few simple tips.

Seal air leaks: If your home is kind of drafty, that may be one reason your energy bill gets so high. Air leaks can allow warmed air to escape, forcing your HVAC system to work harder to replace it. By sealing air leaks and ensuring your home is properly insulated, you can save up to 20% on your heating and cooling expenses. Seal leaks around window and doors for increased home comfort and lower energy bills.

Open the curtains: Instead of turning the heat all the way up, why not use a heat resource that's completely free? Utilizing the heat from the sun can be a great option in the winter. Opening blinds and curtains in your home will allow the sun's warmth to enter your home. Not only will you get some much-needed sunshine, but your home will be naturally warmed.

Keep air vents unblocked: With air vents being tucked into corners and behind furniture, it can be pretty easy to forget about them. But if the vents are blocked by items like furniture or curtains, it can drastically reduce the amount of air that can get through. This, in turn, forces the HVAC system to work harder to get the air through, increasing energy use. To reduce energy usage, keep air vents unblocked so air can flow freely.


Use heat wisely: One of the easiest energy conservation tips for the winter months is to use your heat wisely. This involves both lowering temperatures and only heating certain areas. If you turn down the temperature when you're not home or sleeping, that will help save on energy. Furthermore, if you have rooms that are rarely used, make sure the vents are sealed off so the heated air can be used in rooms that need it.


Saving energy can be easy when you put your mind to it. Hopefully, these simple tips will help keep your home warm and your energy bills low all winter long.

3 Ways to Save Energy

When it comes to reducing energy use seasonally, many people think summer is the best time when big savings can be seen due to cutting back on things like air conditioning. However, there can be some great opportunities to reduce energy use during the colder months too. With fall finally here, it's important to think about ways to save energy in your home. So let's take a look at a few easy energy saving tips to put into practice this fall.


Use your heat wisely: While it can be tempting to crank up the heat at the first sign of cool weather, it's important to use your heat cautiously. Try to keep your thermostat as low as possible -- it's easy to put on layers and snuggle up in blankets for extra warmth. At the very least, turn the thermostat down while you're away from home or sleeping. Just think about the impact lowering your thermostat can have on the environment. In the colder months, lowering your thermostat just two degrees can reduce 6% of heating-related CO2 emissions, which certainly adds up over time.


Seal any leaks: One of the biggest wastes of energy is when a home has leaks around windows, doors, and in its duct system. When there are leaks, the HVAC system has to work harder to replace the air that is escaping the house, which increases energy use. So before the cold weather arrives, make sure to check all windows, doors, and attic insulation to ensure there are no places where air could escape. Additionally, have your ductwork checked for leaks -- and consider having it cleaned while you're at it.


Unblock registers and radiators: Many homeowners make the mistake of moving furniture in front of heat registers and radiators in hopes of hiding them from sight. However, doing this can decrease the amount of heat that can come out of the systems, forcing the HVAC system to work harder. So next time you're doing some cleaning, make sure your furniture, carpet, and draperies are all away from heat registers and radiators. Additionally, it's important to note that having items in front of radiators and registers can be a hazard, so moving them is a win-win.


It doesn't take a whole lot of effort to reduce energy use at your home. So if you're thinking about conserving energy throughout the colder months, keep these simple energy saving tips in mind.

Saving Energy at Home: How to Use Your Thermostat Properly

The way we use energy has changed drastically over time. Just think, wood supplied almost 90% of our energy needs over 150 years ago! Now, people tend to focus more on renewable energy and ways we can reduce energy use. Fortunately, with today's technology, this is easier than ever to do. One technological tool that can help with energy conservation is a thermostat. So let's take a closer look at how thermostats can help save energy when used right.

How Does the Right Thermostat Save Energy?

Most homes are equipped with a thermostat to help keep the indoor temperature nice and comfortable. And while it may be tempting to crank up the heat in the colder months, setting your thermostat back even just a few degrees can reduce heating and cooling costs immensely. Programmable thermostats are something every home should have. It can be difficult to remember to turn down the heat or air when you're sleeping or not home. But with a programmable thermostat, you won't have to remember. You can simply set your thermostat to turn down the heat or AC when you're not home or sleeping and you can easily reduce your energy use. Additionally, you should ensure your thermostat is in a central location in your home. If a thermostat is installed in a poor location, like near a garage, it can misread the temperature. So with the right thermostat, you can save energy at home with ease.

What NOT to Do With Your Thermostat

When using your thermostat, it's important to not make mistakes that could lead you to use more energy than necessary. One big mistake homeowners often make is cranking up their heat or AC because they think that will help them reach their desired temperature quicker. Not only does this not work, but it can actually make your HVAC system run slower and use more energy. So to focus on energy conservation, don't set the temperature too high or too low. Furthermore, you should try to change the thermostat temperature as little as possible. If you constantly change the temperature on your thermostat, you're going to end up using more energy because your HVAC unit will have to stop and start repeatedly.

When it comes to energy conservation, using the right thermostat, and using it correctly, can be a big energy saver. So keep these tips in mind and use your thermostat wisely.

What to Know About Using Solar Panels in the Summertime

It's no secret that we've come a long way in how we generate, use, and innovate with energy. More than 150 years ago, about 90% of the nation's energy needs were fulfilled with wood. But in today's society, there is a major focus on energy conservation and using renewable energy sources. While there are several renewable energy options, one of the most common options is solar power. Solar panels are becoming more accessible to people around the world and they can help significantly when it comes to energy conservation. But when the sun is beating down during the summertime, is this a good thing for solar energy users?

Summertime can mean both added benefits and slight downsides for solar energy users. Fortunately, the longer, sunnier days amounts to more energy produced by solar panels. Because of the added sunlight solar panels receive during the summertime, solar panel users can see a significant increase in the amount of energy produced. Which, of course, is a great thing, especially for energy conservation.

However, it's important to remember that solar panels convert sunlight into energy, not heat. So on those long, hot and humid days, solar panel users may actually see a decrease in productivity. This is because too much heat can actually cause solar panels to overheat and become less efficient. So even if the sun is shining, hot summer days can sometimes do more harm than good.

So how can homeowners make the most of their solar panels during the summer? First off, it's important to optimize cool, sunny days. With lowered temperatures but plenty of sunshine, solar panels will be working perfectly. Additionally, it's important to consider the location of the solar panels. Most homeowners use solar panels on their roofs, where they can get maximum sun exposure. But during the summer, the sun hits a direct angle -- this means solar panel users should position their panels at a slightly lower angle to catch the most sun. If solar panels are located places other than the roof, it's important to make sure they're not blocked by any shade throughout the day to ensure they're being exposed to all the sun they can get.

Solar panels are a great way to practice energy conservation and start leaning towards using more efficient energy sources. By remembering these few tips, solar panel users can make the most out of the long, sunny summer days ahead.