Following are some easy ways to start saving money immediately, and some investments you can make that will pay off in the long run.

Lower your water heater temperature

Did you know that the cost of heating your water accounts for up to 25 percent of your total energy costs per year? While you obviously can’t go without hot water in your home, you may be able to save a significant amount of money by lowering the temperature on your water heater.

Water above 120 degrees Fahrenheit can scald skin in seconds, and if you’re super-heating your water to 140 degrees, you’re increasing your risk of scalding as well as wasting money on energy costs. Check the thermostat on your water heater and lower it to 120 degrees if it’s too high. Don’t set the temperature lower than 120 degrees, though, or you increase the risk of bacterial growth in your water heater.

Install reusable air filters

Reusable air filters for your home’s heating and cooling system can be a great investment. They cost a little more than disposable air filters, but they can be cleaned and reused instead of replaced every few months. These filters are also of a higher quality than disposables, and since cleaning and maintenance is so easy, many people are better at the upkeep. Heating and cooling systems work best when filters are clean, so don’t forget to check filters every few months to see if they need to be cleaned.

Improve appliance efficiency with a water softener

Hard water can interfere with the efficiency of appliances that use water. The minerals in hard water accumulate inside appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and coffee pots, and over time, these substances can destroy a heating element or create so much residue that the appliance isn’t able to function properly. A water softener can eliminate the problems associated with hard water, thus increasing the energy efficiency and lifespan of your appliances that use water.

Seal your windows

Drafty windows lead to a lot of energy loss, allowing cool air to escape in the summer and warm air to escape in the winter. As you prepare your home for winter, always check for drafty windows. Add weather stripping to fill any gaps you find, and cover your windows with shrink-wrap plastic that creates an air-tight seal. In the summer, don’t allow direct sunlight into your home. Room-darkening drapes and vertical or horizontal blinds can reduce the warming effect of sunlight, and as a result, your air conditioner expends less energy cooling your home.

In just a few hours’ time, you can make changes around your home that will result in big savings on utility bills. Even if you have to spend a little money up-front to lower your long-term energy costs, you’ll be rewarded for your efforts.

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Turn It Off

If you turn your air conditioning system on and it doesn’t work, don’t leave it on. There may be some parts of the unit that are on, and you can cause damage to them, if the entire unit isn’t functioning.

Turn the system off when it fails while it’s running as well. For example, if it’s working, but all of sudden the air turns warm, don’t let it continue to run. This can burn out the compressor and damage other critical part of the unit, which could lead to significant repair costs.

Reset the Breaker

A unit that won’t start at all may have triggered the breaker. To save money in calling a service man, reset the breaker for the unit. You can do this simply by flipping off the switch dedicated to the unit, and then flipping it back on. Go to your air conditioning system controller and turn it back on again. If the breaker was triggered, the unit should start up and function normally. If it doesn’t start running, turn it off and call a professional.

Remove Debris from Unit

Many times, debris can cause the unit to stop functioning. Be sure that the system is turned off and the breaker is turned to off to avoid injury. Inspect the air conditioning system and remove all debris from it. If you’re able to remove the cover, do so carefully to see if there is debris inside that can be removed. Once the unit has been cleared of everything that could be causing interference, replace the cover, turn the breaker on, and then unit back on. If the air conditioning system does not turn on or blows warm air, call a professional.

When It’s Time to Call a Service Person

No one wants to call someone for air conditioning system repair because of the cost. However, if you try to repair the unit on your own, you may end up doing more damage to it, which would then cost more money to fix. It’s best to allow a professional handle the inspection and repair, so you only have to pay for what the unit broke from wear and tear.

Before you call someone, consider researching the company first. Every company has its own rates, and that means with a little searching you can find one that provides the exceptional service you expect for a price that doesn’t bust your budget.

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