October is Energy Awareness Month, a chance for every home or business owner to take stock of their energy consumption and consider what they can do to reduce their expenses. Fortunately, you don’t have to replace your entire heating and cooling system or sacrifice convenience to increase the efficiency of your home or office. Once you understand where your energy goes, it can be easy to reduce your consumption and save money every month.

A Quick Guide to Lowering Your Energy Consumption

Where Does Your Energy Go?

According to the Department of Energy, the average American home devotes almost half of its energy to heating and cooling. If you operate a store or office building, this amount might be even higher. Water heaters are also energy-hungry appliances, accounting for up to 12% of your energy usage every year. Lighting consumes around of 5% of your energy usage in a household budget. The rest of your annual energy bill goes to powering your kitchen appliances, electronic devices, and space heaters.

How to Lower Your Energy Costs

Because so much energy is directed to a few key systems, small steps can have a big impact on your utility bills. Start by setting your thermostat a few degrees higher in the summer and lower in the winter. This won’t impact your comfort much but will have a major impact on your heating and cooling expenses. Taking shorter showers and turning off lights when you leave the room will also reduce consumption without dramatically impacting your quality of life. For even more savings, consider investing in highly efficient LED bulbs, which use a fraction of the energy of other models.

With their energy-efficient heating and cooling systems and the expertise to solve many electrical issues, Osterwisch Company has been serving homes and businesses throughout the greater Cincinnati, OH, area since 1946. They strive to provide every customer with expert services, with every job done right the first time. Visit their website for more on their heating and cooling services, or call (513) 791-3282 to experience the Osterwisch Difference for yourself.