How Homeowners in California Can Save Energy and Money at Home

Your HVAC system accounts for nearly 50 percent of the energy your household consumes. And homeowners in Sacramento, California, pay some of the highest prices in the country for electricity. In fact, California's residential electricity rates average 15.34¢/kWh, which ranks 8th in the nation. While California's residential electricity consumption ranks low, every homeowner should strive to save even more energy and money. Read on to learn how homeowners in California can save energy and money:

Use Your Home's Ceiling Fans Correctly

Your home's ceiling fans don't produce conditioned air. But they help distribute the air your HVAC system has produced to make a room feel cooler or warmer. The trick is to use them the correct way, and you can reduce your reliance on your HVAC system.In the summer, make sure your ceiling fans rotate in a counterclockwise direction. By doing so, you'll create a windchill effect that can make a room feel up to 8 degrees cooler. As a result, it'll help you save as much as 40 percent on your energy bills.In the winter, make sure your ceiling fans rotate in a clockwise direction. This will allow your ceiling fans to redistribute warm air. You can save as much as 15 percent on your energy bills during the winter by using your ceiling fans correctly.

Upgrade Your HVAC System to a New Model

If your current HVAC system is more than 10 years old, it's time to upgrade it to a newer, more energy-efficient model. Considering California's mild climate, most homeowners in the area can efficiently cool and heat their homes with a heat pump. Here are the biggest benefits of installing a heat pump in your home:

• Provide cooling and heating
• Lower operational costs
• Require less maintenance
• Better for the environment
• Lifespan of up to 25 years

Invest in a Professional Energy Audit

The best way to find out where you're wasting the most energy in your home is to schedule a professional energy audit. If your energy bills have risen without reason, or if you feel major temperature differences from room to room, a service technician can help pinpoint the problem and recommend ways to fix it. To schedule your energy audit today, contact Jaguar Heating & Air at 916-646-2007. We'll help you increase energy efficiency and lower your utility bills right away.