Ask A Chicago Expert: Five Ways To Lower Your Energy Bill

They say that the heating and cooling costs for your home can make up as much as half of your total energy bill. So in a city like Chicago, which endures both brutally cold winters and hot and humid summers, that part of your energy bill can add up quick. But taking some basic steps in regards to your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system can have make a big difference on your utility bills, and of course the comfort of your home. Whether you're planning on taking simple steps towards making your home more efficient, or larger investments, both will pay out in the long run and you'll see lower energy costs. In order to help you with this process, we've talked to a Chicago expert about some ways to help lower your energy bill.

Chuck McNulty
Chuck's Best HVAC Inc.
Chicago, IL 
(773) 793-0573

When not helping to keep Chicagoans warm in the winter and cool in the summer, Chuck's Best HVAC Inc. owner and operator Chuck McNulty can be found raising temperatures in another way as well — on stage. An accomplished guitarist in local bands, McNulty has been playing guitar regularly since his high school years. But, as McNulty explained, "Life happens, kids, responsibilities, etc. Work was to support our music really." After working for other companies and learning the tools of the trade, he started Chuck's Best HVAC Inc. eight years ago. "I do everything now myself. Keeping a good client base is important, and I am generally word-of-mouth so I do my best. Heating, air-conditioning, boilers, gas hot water systems, and both residential and light commercial work. When not working on heating and air conditioning or on stage, McNulty enjoys spending time with his family and taking advantage of all the fun activities that Chicago has to offer year-round.

Change Filter On A Regular Basis 

All of the air in your home passes through some kind of filter, and that's why clean air filters are so important. Filters help keep the quality of air in your home fresh and keep its residents healthier by capturing bacteria and pollutants. If your filters are dirty, your HVAC system must work harder, and thus raises your energy bill. Clean filters help your HVAC system to run more efficiently and keep repair costs down, as well as keeping general your energy costs down.

Lower Thermostat Setting For Unoccupied Or Sleep Schedule

Doing a thermostat setback at night is a great way to save on costs at times when heat is less needed. Not only will you lower your energy costs, but some experts believe you'll get a better night's sleep in the process. Also, lowering your thermostat for long periods of time in an unoccupied home is important. By keeping your temperature setting slightly lower, you'll conserve energy while still warding off the risk of frozen plumbing in the winter. Keeping the property at this temperature will also prevent condensation that could potentially cause damage to furnishings and belongings.

Insulate Your Attic/Seal Drafts, Cracks, Windows And Doors 

It's said that you should wear a hat to keep your body warm when it's cold out, and the same can be said for a house. To keep that cold air out and warm air in, insulating your roof and sealing up any drafts and cracks around your windows and doors is essential. Without a good insulation system, it doesn't matter how good your energy equipment is, it simply won't perform as well as it should, not to mention raising your utility costs. Adding insulation to your attic, and using things like sealant strips around doors and putty or sealers around windows, can go a long way to keep you and your family warm this winter.

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Lower Water Heater Temperature Setting

Water heating is the second largest energy waster in the home. Hot water heaters have to work constantly to keep water hot and available when needed. Also, as the water sits, it cools, so the heating element has to warm it up again, and this process repeats continually. One great tip to save on your energy costs is to lower your water heater temperature setting — this quick and easy step can go a long way to make your home more efficient and save you money.

Annual Maintenance Tune-Up

Annual pre-season check-ups are a great way to foresee any potential problems and, in the long run, save you money. Plan ahead many contractors get busy in the summer and winter seasons, so have your heating system checked out in the fall, and your cooling system checked in the spring. Once the extreme weather hits, be it frigid or toasty, you'll be ready.

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Soon after earning her BA in journalism, Melanie Falina began writing about one of the loves of her life - music. Since then, she's covered some of the biggest names in music, in addition to writing on an array of other topics as well. She has written for Black Belt magazine, KISS: The Official Authorized Quarterly Magazine, Examiner, AXS.com, Yahoo Voices, and more, and was editor for Don Lemmon's KNOW HOW Book Three, Refuse To Fail. Melanie is also a poet with six published collections of poetry available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and various establishments.