Reliable heating and cooling companies aren’t always easy to find, but if you take good care of your heating and cooling equipment, they won’t be needed often anyway. As many homeowners will tell you, heating and cooling costs take up a large chunk of overall expenses. In fact, heating and cooling services account for approximately 48% of energy use in an average American home. Efficient home heating and efficient home cooling services go a long way in saving on energy bills.

In order to save on heating and cooling expenses, here are a few tips for you to keep in mind:

• During the winter, set your thermostat to 68-70 degrees during the day. At night, lower it to about 65-68 degrees. That way, your home stays nice and toasty and you use less heat, bringing down the heating bill.
• Another way to cut down on heating costs is by lowering your thermostat to 60 degrees for extended periods of absence, such as when you are on vacation. It will keep your house reasonably warm and will cost less. Do not turn off the heat outright. That can lead to serious (and potentially dangerous) problems.
• If you have a room air conditioner that is old, you should look into purchasing an energy-efficient ENERGY STAR unit. These A/C units are 10% more efficient than regular units. As for central A/C units, ENERGY STAR systems are 15% more efficient than standard models.
• No matter what A/C unit you have, its air filter should be changed at least once every three months, although it is advisable to change them once a month.

By following these simple steps, you will be well on your way to saving money on your heating and cooling bills. Reliable heating and cooling companies may be hard to come by, but your ingenuity is not. For more information, feel free to leave a comment or question at the bottom.