Did you know that about 48% of all residential energy use is for the heating and cooling systems in your home? These Department of Energy figures indicate that improving heating efficiency will help hold down utility costs during cold weather in New Jersey.
Additionally, upgrading to an Energy Star certified furnace can save approximately $94 annually for the average sized home. These furnaces are 16% more efficient than other types of furnaces on the market today.
To further reduce home heating costs, the DoE recommends adjusting your thermostat for a minimum of 8 hours a day. A 7-10 degree adjustment during this period of time will result in a savings of 10% off your home heating and cooling bills. According to the same Department of Energy report, every degree you lower your thermostat in the winter (and conversely, every degree you increase it in the summer) will result in a minimum savings of 3% on your home heating and cooling bill.
New Jersey ranks 41st among the states for prices for residential natural gas with Hawaii having the highest and Utah having the lowest. Alternatively, New Jersey has the 12th highest rates for electricity at 16 cents per kilowatt hour. Again, Hawaii has the highest electricity prices with Louisiana having the lowest.
Interestingly, nearby Connecticut has the third highest electricity rates in the country, just behind Hawaii and Alaska.
Fall is a great time to consider upgrading your furnace to a more efficient model, or switching from electric to natural gas which is a less expensive fuel source. We can do an evaluation of your current heating system and advise you on ways that you can save money on your monthly heating bills.
If you are looking to do an oil to natural gas conversion, we will be glad to give you several options that will ensure that you are comfortable by the time cold weather arrives.
Celestial Air is the name to trust when it comes to providing you with quality HVAC services as well as giving you great advice on how to save money on your monthly utility bills. Give us a call for an assessment today.