Christmas may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be the most expensive. While the money spent to make the holidays special for your family and friends is worth every cent, there are a few ways to have the same magical holiday…without emptying your wallet.
Here are three quick and easy tips to help you save energy on your HVAC costs this Christmas:
Tip #1: Turn Down Your Thermostat. The holidays in Houston aren’t as cold as the North Pole, but if you do use your heat this season, there are a few key times to turn the temperature down a few degrees. For instance, if the oven is going and the stove burners are on, there’s plenty of heat running through your home to keep things warm and toasty. Knock down the temperature a few degrees while preparing for the Christmas meal. Also, if you’re planning a holiday party or having dozens of family members over to your home, remember that people generate heat. So the more people, the more heat. Knock a few degrees off to keep everyone at a comfortable temperature and knock a few bucks off your bill while you’re at it!
Tip #2: Reduce your TV brightness. Holiday movies and football games are staple for many families this time of year. If you know you’re going to be watching a lot of television during the holidays, turn down the brightness on your TV. It could cut the amount of energy your TV is using by 25%.
Tip #3: Turn off/ unplug electronics. Even in standby mode, electronics use electricity and can cost up to $100 each per year when left plugged into the socket. So, unplug those brand new game systems and shiny small kitchen appliances when you’re done using them for the day. One thing that may be unpopular with the kids but will save you money is unplugging your Christmas lights after a certain time of night. If you have a hard time remembering, put your lights on a timer.
These are few quick and easy things that you can do during the holidays to keep the Christmas spirit alive while saving a few dollars. The holiday season is always a good time for a home comfort system check up! Our certified HVAC technicians at Richmonds Air are happy to help get your home ready for the holidays. Contact us today!