Chilly winter nights or triple-digit summer days both mean the same thing: your utility bill is going to get a workout. With experts predicting ever-higher energy costs across the country, what can you do to lower your energy bill? There are some steps you can take to shave a little off your energy usage this year.

First of all, consider your home’s overall energy efficiency. Do you have older appliances that use a lot of electricity? Do you have drafty windows and doors? You should seriously consider the expense of replacing old appliances, or replacing drafty windows or doors, especially before the chilliest part of the season is upon us. Switching to energy-efficient appliances can cut your household energy bill by one-third to one-half, according to Pacific Gas and Electric.

Cooling and heating account for almost half of the average family’s energy bill. If you want to cut that cost, look at your thermostat. Try to heat your home smartly this season by keeping the thermostat set to lower levels. It is not recommended that you run the heater or air conditioning all day long. Instead, bundle up with an extra sweater and keep the heater off, especially when you are not at home. When sleeping, drape extra blankets over the bed to keep from turning on the heater.

If your air conditioner or home heater is an old and weathered model, it may be time to consider a repair of the equipment or even a replacement model altogether. Newer heaters and air conditioners are so efficient they are certain to lower your energy bill - especially since most of them now come with an “Energy Star” rating. Using Energy Star appliances, air conditioners and heaters can shave up to 20 percent off your utility bill, according to heating experts.

If you are not prepared to replace your heating and cooling system, you should consider some maintenance on it, at the least. You should replace the filter before turning it on for the first time. A tune-up of your current system is a relatively inexpensive way to obtain some more efficiency, and a professional can do the job in just a few hours.
The heating professional should also ensure the ducts of the heating or cooling system are adequately sealed. Leaks in the ducts will prevent your home from heating or cooling as efficiently as possible.
Similarly, make sure there are few (if any) leaks leading to the exterior of your house. Cool nighttime air flooding through small cracks between the door frame or window panes will severely hamper the efficiency of your thermostat. Check the condition of weatherstripping around exterior doors and windows, and replace if it is worn or non-existent.

If the windows are beyond fixing with new weatherstripping, perhaps you should consider replacing the windows in your house altogether, particularly if the home is an older one.

Energy-efficient, high-performance windows increase comfort while reducing heating and cooling costs. They also reduce transmission of outdoor noise, improve the appearance and value of the come, and have become a popular home improvement step.

You may also consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient ceiling fan. Ceiling fans with an “Energy Star” approval rating will draw little power from your house’s electricity. In the winter, reverse the ceiling fan motor so that warm air is driven down into living areas.

Finally, replace any leaking faucets or toilets, and use low-flow shower heads to reduce water usage.

With a little effort and some advance planning, you can save hundreds of dollars over the course of a few months on your house’s electricity bill.

- For more information on lowering your home’s energy bill, contact A-1 Guaranteed, (707) 645-0734.

A-1 Guaranteed Heating & Air

Fight the urge to run your heater or air conditioner. Wear extra layers of clothing and sleep under heavy blankets when it is cold. Reverse the ceiling fan motor so it forces warm air down to living areas.

Get a tune up of your home’s heating or cooling system. Check to see that all the connections are secure, the heating source is adequately connected, and that all ducts and tubing in your house are properly sealed.

Consider a replacement if the home is more than 10 years old. When buying a new heating system, make sure it has the “Energy Star” rating, which could shave up to 20 percent or more off your monthly utility bills.

Prevent external leaks in your house by properly sealing all cracks between the door frame and window panes. All that air getting in and out could increase a system’s inefficiency.

Upgrade to energy-saving window glass, which is designed to increase comfort while reducing your overall energy costs. They also reduce outdoor noise, improve the appearance of your home and are a popular home improvement project.