How to Easily Reduce A/C and Heating Costs

Man and boy controlling thermostat from phone

Man and boy controlling thermostat from phone

Man and boy controlling thermostat from phone

Lower your energy bills and take control of your air conditioning and heating with a few simple tips.

How many times have you turned off a light to save energy? It’s a habit most of us learned growing up, that a simple flick of a switch could make a dent in our energy bill.

But let's be honest: an occasional light left on is hardly your biggest enemy when it comes time to tame your energy costs. According to the Department of Energy, more than 50% of a home's energy cost comes from heating and cooling alone.

Here are a few energy-saving solutions that could potentially lower your energy bill.

Invest in a smart thermostat

Something as simple as a programmable thermostat can take charge of your heating and cooling costs. In summer, program your thermostat to keep your home warmer during the day when no one is home, and then program it to cool down to a more reasonable temperature in the afternoon and evening.

The same practice can be used during the winter. If you set the thermostat to 68° F while you’re home, and lower the temperature when you’re away or asleep, the savings can add up, potentially as much as one percent for each degree.

Keep heating and cooling systems in optimum condition

Of course, any savings from that thermostat would be minimized if your system doesn't run properly, which is why it's important to use a licensed and insured HVAC specialist to inspect and adjust your heating and cooling systems.

Due to the sophistication of today's systems, technicians must stay up-to-date on the latest technology, meaning homeowners should look for technicians who are certified under the North American Technician Excellence program.

It's also important to find the right technician to install or service your system, so start by asking your friends and neighbors for recommendations. Find a person you're comfortable with, someone who will take the time to find out what's best for you and your home. Don't hesitate to ask for referrals and copies of their license and insurance.

NRG is also an option you can turn to. We have a vast network of pre-screened, licensed and insured contractors ready to help. Our Heating & Cooling Protection Plans can also help cover repairs, maintenance, and other services.

Check those ducts

Don't take the infrastructure of your home for granted. Your ductwork plays a huge role in your heating and cooling needs and costs. Ductwork is a key problem for loss of energy in homes today. Putting in a new air conditioning unit without addressing the ductwork is like installing a new engine in your car and reusing the old oil.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, air leakage from faulty ductwork in attics or crawl spaces can lose up to 40% of the heated or cooled air that passes through en route to the vents in your home.

Other measures

Homeowners can play a part in efficient heating and cooling as well, and this starts with proper insulation. Also, check the weatherstripping and caulking on your windows and doors to plug the air leaks throughout your home. This will prevent hot air from entering your home, meaning your air-conditioning system doesn't have to work as hard to keep your house cool.

Terms and conditions contained in the protection plans may limit our contract obligations due to coverage caps, coverage exclusions, and our cash back offer. View plan details for more information.

Terms, conditions, and other restrictions

*Repair claims are limited to $500 per service call and $2,000 per plan in the aggregate per plan term. Plans are provided by NRG Protects Inc. Independent contractors will be performing various services under the plans. In some instances we may make a cash payment in lieu of repairs or replacement in the amount of actual cost, which may be less than retail, to repair or replace any covered system, component, or appliance.

**If your authorized repair technician determines that the water heater is deemed irreparable, we will give you a credit of $500 towards a replacement water heater by your authorized repair technician.

Once repair plans commence, there is a 30-day waiting period before you may request services for a claim. Unless the plan provider elects not to renew the plan, upon expiration of the first year, the plan will automatically renew at the standard rate and terms unless you opt out of the auto-renewal option in writing by mail at P.O. Box 2309, Houston, TX 77252- 2309, by email at cancel@nrgprotects.com or by calling us at 1.855.241.9094. Sales tax will be added in select states.

This is a summary of what the provider will and will not cover under the plan, and is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the plan. The Terms and Conditions may limit the provider's contractual obligations due to coverage caps, coverage exclusions and any cash-back option available under the plan. Please refer to the Sample Terms & Conditions for details.