One Back-to-School Expense You Didn't Realize You Were Paying
With kids going back to school and the seasons beginning to change, August can be an expensive month. Besides all the school supplies and new clothes, there are also added expenses in sports equipment and uniforms, and dues for clubs as well as expenses for all the kids’ other activities. Most of us are so busy it’s difficult to even think about the systems in our homes, let alone how much those systems are costing us this month.
In the average American household, around 50% of the total utility bill is spent on heating and cooling the home. This means that if you can take measures to save money on heating and cooling expenses, it could make a big difference in your monthly bills. So, because August is that month of the year when temperatures are variable, being mindful and taking a few easy steps can help you save money down the road.
Perhaps you've noticed that the evenings are cooler and it's getting darker a little earlier. Evenings are a great time to open up the windows, maybe even turn a fan on low to get the air circulating, and allow the cooler air outside to cool the home versus running the air conditioner. Additionally, now that the kids are in school for most of the day, consider bumping the thermostat down so your air conditioner isn't working hard to cool an empty house. 
If this seems like too much to remember or if you don't want to have to stay on top of the fluctuations in temperature, there is actually a device that will do it for you! With new smart home technology, it's never been easier to save money on your heating and cooling. Smart thermostats, like the NEST thermostat, learn your family's behaviors and will automatically adjust to your comfort and preference levels. A smart thermostat will also detect whether the house seems to be empty and then adjust to an away mode of your preference. This means the device is doing the remembering for you--and you're not constantly adjusting the thermostat.
But beyond the smart thermostat adapting to your family's daily habits, when you're away you can also control the thermostat using your smartphone. The smart thermostat will also connect to any voice-activated device like the Amazon Echo that has Alexa Voice system capability. Using simple voice commands, you can turn the thermostat up or down--without having to leave your bed.
If you're interested in learning more about how your air conditioner or furnace works, how you can use your heating and cooling systems more efficiently, or if you're interested in smart home technology that can help you save money this season, call Any Hour Services and we would be happy to send a certified HVAC expert to help answer your questions.
Aug 10th 2017
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