Reduce Your Heating and Cooling Costs

One of the most expensive costs through the year is the cost of heating and cooling your home. If you can reduce these costs just a little bit, the money you save can be put into your home to reduce those costs even more. In the end, you can raise the value of your home, and reduce heating and cooling costs at the same time. Simple and inexpensive implementations like dog doors can save you a ton of cash.

• Use your thermostat correctly — You may think you are saving money by shutting the heating or air off but, if your system has to work harder to heat or cool your home when you turn it back on, you’re going to spend more. The system will use more energy, and it will have to work harder, which means more repairs in the end. Set your thermostat at one temperature and leave it there.
• Install dog doors — These doors allow your pet to come and go with freedom, but they also mean you don’t ever have to open the door to let them in or out … or stand there and wait while they decide where they really want to be.
• Fill all gaps — Take a lit candle around the house and watch it to see when the flame flickers. If it flickers or goes out near windows, entryways, or joints, you have a gap to seal. Mark it with chalk and come back to seal it later.

None of these simple tips cost very much to complete, but can make a huge impact on your heating and cooling expenses.