Today, heating and cooling your home will make up the majority of your utility bills each month. Combined, these two sources use more energy, and also drain more energy, than all other systems in a home. According to the Department of Energy, on average, 43% of a utility bill is for heating and cooling. It doesn’t matter what kind of ventilation, air-conditioning system or heating is in your home, you can still save money heating and cooling your home by properly maintaining your equipment and your house.

It’s important to remember, that an energy efficient system by itself won’t make a significant change in your energy bills. To see a noticeable savings on your energy bill, you need to adopt the “whole-house approach”. If you combine maintenance and upgrades with the right kind of air sealing, insulation and thermostat settings, you’ll be able to reduce your total energy use and save money on heating and cooling costs.

How to save money heating and cooling your home long term:

• Choose energy-efficient products when purchasing heating and cooling equipment. ‘Energy Star’ is one popular brand that is best for energy-efficiency.
• For an air conditioner, look for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). The minimum today is 13, but more energy efficient products are 14 or more.
• Attic insulation of R-19 or more is considered the best protection against unnecessarily high cooling and heating costs.
• Try free heating and cooling by using windows and curtains to block or add heat/cool to a home. Allow the sun to enter windows and keep blinds closed to keep the sun out (Blackout curtains also reduce thermal waste). Open windows to allow a cool breeze in the Spring and Fall.

How to saving money heating and cooling your home every day:

• Weather-strip windows and doors. Replace window screens with solar screens.
• Use thermal drapes (Blackout curtains) to insulate windows.
• Wrap insulating around heating and cooling ductwork and then secure it with duct tape.
• Use fans (room or ceiling) to circulate air.
• Keep exterior doors closed while the heat or air conditioning is on.
• Cook and bake early in the day.
• Change air filters every 30 days.
• Use Energy Star appliances.
• Lower the temperature of your hot water.
• Plant tall shrubs or deciduous trees around your home to provide shade.
• Make sure you are getting the best price plan available with your utility companies.
• When not at home, raise the temperature in your home by at least 5 degrees or install a programmable thermostat to moderate temperatures throughout the day.

A therm is more than just an odd-sounding word used on your utility bill by natural gas companies. A therm is equal to 100,000 BTUs (British Thermal Units). Most importantly, a therm is the measurement natural gas companies use to determine your natural gas usage.

While natural gas is measured in cubic feet (typically CCF, or 100 cubic feet), a therm is the energy equivalent of burning 100 cubic feet of natural gas. The therm factor is used by natural gas companies to convert the volume of gas used into therm.

On your utility bill, you will see your CCF of natural gas used multiplied by the therm factor. The therm factor varies according to the mix of hydrocarbons in the natural gas, and essentially describes the purity of the gas, or the amount of gas that creates energy. Natural gas is a mix of:

• Ethane
• Propane
• Butane

A higher-than-average mix of these gases gives you a higher therm factor. On the other hand, if your natural gas has large quantities of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, you’ll have a lower therm factor. Your natural gas company will set your therm factor and set your natural gas rate per therm accordingly.

Natural gas companies charge you per therm, or actual energy used. In some states, such as Indiana, you’ll be charged on a tiered plan, where the first 20 therms are the most expensive, and the rate per therm goes down the more natural gas you use, similar to a “bulk rate.” Because of this, if you want to gauge your family’s natural gas usage, you’ll have to look at the total therms used, and not the bottom line on your bill.