With inflation impacting all areas of our life, it’s not surprising that the cost of heating and cooling the home increased by 33% in 2021. While energy-saving measures have been touted for environmental reasons, the impact on our wallets makes taking these steps more critical than ever.

The pros at New York-based Petri Plumbing & Heating, Inc. recommend the following efficiency measures to help homeowners cut back on their energy costs:

1. Turn down the thermostat. Depending on the season, the ideal house temperature is typically between 68 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Setting your thermostat on 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer is ideal for saving on energy costs.
2. Weatherproof the house. Make sure your home is outfitted with adequate insulation, install storm windows, add door draft stoppers and weatherstripping, and fix any leaks or cracks around doors and windows.These measures will have a big impact in reducing your energy bills.
3. Get a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats use AI technology to "learn" the best ways to heat and cool a home, allowing homeowners to control energy use from their mobile devices. Smart home devices like these can save homeowners hundreds of dollars throughout the course of the year.
4. Lower the water heater temperature. Heated water requires more energy. Setting the water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit will be warm enough to take a hot shower while still keeping bacteria from developing in the water heater.
5. Stick to maintenance schedules. Having yearly checkups conducted on your plumbing, water heater and furnace can identify future issues that might result in driving up energy costs. Homeowners should sign up with a local heating and plumbing company to perform yearly maintenance to keep their systems in ideal working order. Many home services companies usually have plans that provide routine maintenance checkups and discounts to members.
6. Replace windows and the furnace with newer energy-efficient versions. New window options are often constructed with glass that reduces sunlight’s impact on a home's temperature, and new furnace models are built to heat using less energy. While the initial costs of newer products like these may be high, the savings over the long run will be in the thousands.
7. Run the dishwasher and washing machine only when full. Since these appliances use both electricity and water, they can drive up costs. Waiting until they are fully loaded is a great way to ensure that they are not being run too often.