How to Lower Summer Utility Bills in Northwest Washington

As temperatures climb and your air conditioner or heat pump works overtime, increasing utility bills may seem inevitable—but they don’t have to be.

Based on our experience at Ballard Natural Gas Service, we know you don’t have to hike your thermostat setting or simply give in to our next summer heatwave to save a few pennies on your electricity costs.

At Ballard Natural Gas Service, we’ve served the Puget Sound area since 1993. Over more than three decades, our team has helped thousands of neighbors in Greater Seattle and the surrounding communities keep their homes comfortable without breaking the bank.

We can help you reduce your electricity bills by making your home work smarter, not harder. Let’s look at some of the upgrades that help your HVAC system work more effectively and reduce energy costs.

Install a Smart Thermostat to Control Energy Costs

Programmable and smart thermostats allow you to automatically adjust temperature settings so you don’t cool your home when you are away. You can schedule the adjustment or change your Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat from anywhere with your smartphone.

Some smart thermostats even learn to adjust the setting on their own—the ultimate in convenience.

While you’re sleeping or away from your home, you can increase the thermostat setting without feeling hot. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that dialing back your thermostat by 7° to 10°F for eight hours daily can save 10 percent annually on heating and cooling costs. Using a programmable or smart thermostat to reduce energy costs is so much easier than making manual adjustments.

Smart thermostats can also learn your schedule, use geofencing (GPS) to adjust temperatures based on your location, and provide energy usage reports to help you identify further savings.

Seal Your Air Ducts to Save Money on Cooling

As they age, air ducts can develop gaps, holes, or loose connections, causing up to 20 percent of your conditioned air to escape before it ever reaches your living spaces.

When ducts are sealed, your HVAC system doesn’t have to overcompensate for the lost air, allowing it to reach your desired temperature faster and with less energy.

Zone Control Systems Manage Comfort and Costs

A zone control system reduces energy costs by allowing you to heat and cool sections of your home independently. You define zones in your home based on floors, rooms, wings, or other groupings.

Instead of heating and cooling your entire house to the same temperature, you can turn off or reduce the air supply to unused guest rooms, seasonal areas, or unoccupied zones. This prevents the system from wasting energy on spaces that don’t need it and reduces the overall heating and cooling load on your HVAC unit.

Your system doesn’t have to work overtime to maintain the same temperature throughout your home. It experiences less wear and can last longer.

Insulate Your Home

Insulation prevents hot air from seeping into your home in the summer, reducing the workload on your AC system or heat pump. ENERGY STAR^® and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimate that sealing leaks in your home’s envelope and adding insulation can save an estimated 15 percent on heating and cooling costs.

ENERGY STAR also notes that insulation reduces noise, pollen, dust, and insect infiltration, and better controls humidity.

Tips to Help Homeowners Save Money on Cooling

You can beat the heat in Greater Seattle without boosting energy costs with these money-saving tips:

Manage Sunlight to Lower Cooling Costs

Keep blinds or curtains closed on south-facing windows during peak sun hours to prevent solar gain. Blackout curtains are an excellent investment for rooms that get direct afternoon sun.

Ventilate Naturally To Enhance Cooling

Take advantage of our cool Pacific Northwest nights. Open your windows in the evening and early morning to let fresh, cool air circulate through your home. Close the windows when the outdoor temperature begins to rise.

Change Your HVAC Air Filter to Save on Cooling

A dirty filter restricts airflow, which forces your AC motor to strain and can even lead to frozen evaporator coils. We recommend inspecting your filter every month during the summer.

Replace standard one-inch filters every one to three months, or more frequently if you have pets. Thicker media filters often last six to 12 months before they need to be replaced.

Reduce Utility Bills by Sealing Door and Window Leaks

Gaps around windows and doors can allow hot air to seep in. Inexpensive weatherstripping or a simple tube of caulk can cut your cooling bills.

Schedule an AC or Heat Pump Tune-Up Today!

Now that summer has arrived, with the increased likelihood of heatwaves, your cooling equipment needs preventative maintenance more than ever.

During a maintenance visit, our Ballard Natural Gas Service technicians can identify minor issues that, if left unaddressed, can develop into major problems requiring costly repairs or even system replacement. Maintenance boosts efficiency and helps extend your system’s lifespan—and that saves you money on utility bills. Call us at 206-395-3749 or request service online.