According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average family shells out about $1,500 annually for utilities. With energy prices steadily rising, that may soon seem like a bargain. Want to really slash your utility bills? Concentrate on cutting the biggest energy hogs in your household -- heating and cooling, which collectively account for more than half of the typical home's energy tab (and much more during the extreme weather months). To twist a timeless cliche: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of sweat (or a few nights of shivering, depending on the time of year). Here are tips on helping your wallet weather the seasons by significantly slashing your utility bills. Keep cool and save some cashWe've all heard it plenty of times: Turning up the thermostat keeps your cooling bill down. But there's no need to suffer in sweltering heat. Even modest adjustments can make a difference. Small things (like changing the filter and cleaning the coil) can increase your unit's original efficiency anywhere from 5% to 20% each year.

But that's not the only way to crank up the summer savings. Stay toasty and still see savingsHeating your home efficiently can be boiled down to these major to-do's: insulating, sealing leaks, and maintaining your home -- all with the goal of maximizing your heating dollars. Start your home energy audit with a DIY version at hes.lbl.gov, and get an upgrade report that calculates your savings, your return on investment, and your payback time in key areas (heating, cooling, water heating, appliances, and lighting). Bring your insulation up to snuff: Part of your sleuthing expedition should include eyeballing your insulation to make sure it's in good shape. Pay careful attention to your attic, crawl spaces, walls (check existing walls by removing an outlet cover and using a flashlight), and the underside of floors that are above unheated spaces. Consider purchasing special insulation materials designed for your water pipes and water heater. Before you purchase insulation, consult a chart that shows you what type (graded in "R" levels) you'll need, depending on factors such as climate and the location in your home where the insulation will be placed.

For a step-by-step guide, consult the Department of Energy's online fact sheet.ac units on payments In many cases, you can install or replace old insulation yourself. how much does it cost to replace outside ac unitHowever, if your insulation job is a complicated one -- for example, insulating between walls in an existing home, working around old electrical wiring, or replacing wet or damp insulation, which could signal a leak -- you may want to hire a contractor. cost of york ac unitMany insulation contractors will come estimate your home's insulation needs for free, giving you a chance to determine which jobs seem like "do-it-yourself" projects, and which need a professional touch. If you're working in your attic (since heat rises, many folks start their insulation journey here), make sure there's proper ventilation.

Do-it-yourselfers sometimes mistakenly assume that more is better and cover up natural airflow at the eaves. However, this actually makes the home less energy-efficient, and prone to roofing problems because of ice dams or moisture. Keep the bad elements out (and the good ones in) with proper sealing: Ensuring that heat isn't leaking out through improperly sealed windows, doors, or other openings is another way to save big on your heating bills. You'll want to pay special attention to duct work (a major culprit for energy inefficiency), cracks around doorways and windows, fireplaces, and other miscellaneous openings like attic pull-downs or access holes. Caulk, foam, and window-sealing kits can all be found at your nearest home-improvement store. To learn more, consult the Environmental Protection Agency's helpful online guide to detecting and sealing air leaks in your home. Maintain your hermetically sealed sanctuary: Certain maintenance projects can enhance your energy efficiency when performed regularly.

These include changing your furnace filters on schedule, having your duct work cleaned, and hiring a professional to "tune up" your heating system each year so it stays in peak working order. Again, programming your thermostat (keeping it warmer during waking hours and cooler while you sleep) will also cut your monthly utility bills. Also, turn down the heat on your water heater if you have it set to "scald." Reaping the returnsIf you're in your home for the long haul, you may want to consider some longer-term measures to make your energy usage much more efficient. These might include replacing your windows and buying Energy Star appliances, household products that meet stringent energy efficiency guidelines set forth by the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy. As you can see, all it takes is a little effort to cut your utility bills. And the savings can make it well worth the effort. Published on August 5th, 2014 | Maintaining your A/C unit, regardless of style, is a great way to keep your home cool and using energy efficiently.

Did you know that by just regularly cleaning your A/C’s filter you could improve its efficiency by as much as 15%? Also, by simply shading your A/C unit you could improve its energy efficiency by as much as 10%. Needless to say, your A/C unit represents a great opportunity to save both energy and money in your home. Try implementing some of these basic maintenance tips to help ensure your unit is running efficiently. Things you’ll need for the job: Before beginning any maintenance work on your A/C unit, you should look into your unit’s warranty information. You should be able to vacuum out debris and dust and change filters, but there may be things that will invalidate a warranty, so check that first. If your model is new, odds are, you don’t need to do much maintenance to it besides just cleaning and changing filters anyway. If you feel comfortable with the warranty situation, you can begin to do some easy maintenance that can help you maximize your unit’s energy efficiency.

First, be sure that there is no power running to it. You can do this by simply unplugging it, or flipping the breaker off that controls the power to your unit. Properly maintaing your system may require the assistance of a trained professional. If you’re unsure about handling the project yourself, be sure to call a trained technician. 1. Clean or replace your A/C units filter. Depending on the type of filter you have you may be able to clean it, rather than replace it. However, if you’re going to replace it, do so with one that can be cleaned and re-used down the line. That way you’ll save money in the long run and prevent CO2 emissions from being created at the factory. Luckily, cleaning or replacing your units filter is a quick and simple task. 2. Clean your unit’s condenser coils/fan. These coils help to direct the flow of air into your A/C unit. However, they tend to gather a fair bit of dust and debris and can be easily dented or warped. Ensuring that you have as much air flowing into your A/C unit as possible will help it to run more efficiently.