What does it mean?

Products that earn an ENERGY STAR^® rating, like those from our partners at Carrier, have met stringent criteria set by either the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the U.S. Department of Energy. They operate the same or better than other standard appliances in your home but use less energy.

Why is it so highly regarded?

Energy-efficient products and appliances help protect the environment by reducing harmful emissions from power plants. This helps reduce pollution in the air we breathe daily, conserves natural resources for the future and reduces carbon and greenhouse gas emissions that can contribute to climate change.

Which products qualify?

Most appliances and products that use gas or electricity can qualify for an ENERGY STAR^® label. This can include the heating and air conditioning systems that Appliance Repair Services NYC installs, as well as lighting, computers, refrigerators, office equipment and more.

Does it save me money?

When you invest in ENERGY STAR^® products for your New York and New Jersey home, you’ll find savings in multiple ways. First, since your systems are using less energy, you’ll notice savings on your monthly gas or electric bills. The older the house, the greater its inefficiency. You may also qualify for federal tax credits by installing ENERGY STAR^® products, as well as commercial installation rebates from organizations like New York and New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program.

How do I get one?

As your home heating system ages, you’ll notice less efficiency and more money spent on repairs. It is estimated that systems built eight to ten years ago are 60% less energy efficient than current heating units! Appliance Repair Services NYC can work with you to determine the right time for a new heating system installation, and we can help you choose from one of our high-quality Carrier ENERGY STAR^®–rated products.

If you are interested in installing a new ENERGY STAR^® product or performing an energy assessment with an HVAC professional, contact Appliance Repair Services NYC today at (718) 577-7875 or schedule an appointment online. You’ll be thankful you did!

The post What Do I Need to Know About ENERGY STAR®? appeared first on Appliance Repair Services NYC.

Make a budget

One of the biggest life hacks for saving money is to set a budget. Use a spreadsheet or a budget-making app to determine your monthly (or weekly) income against your regular bills and expenditures. Then divide the remainder of your income amongst savings, paying off debt or on other important things.

Seeing where your money really goes each month can help you curb possible bad habits (like getting takeout too frequently) as well as help you plan for the future and set aside emergency money. While you can never be totally prepared for a home HVAC or plumbing emergency, like a furnace breakdown or clogged pipes, having an “emergency fund” can make the burden a little easier.

Set a thermostat schedule

… and stick to it! If you don’t have a schedule set on your thermostat, you’re practically throwing money away. You can set your home’s temperature to lower when your family leaves for work or school and to rise before you return. If you’re working from home or doing e-learning these days, you can still set the schedule to adjust a few degrees lower when you go to sleep. Experts say a few degrees above or below 65º F is the ultimate sleeping temperature.

Smart thermostats, like Nest, can even learn your schedule based on thermal sensors or geofencing your phone’s location to determine when you are away or sleeping and adjust temperatures accordingly. Not heating an empty (or sleeping) home will help you save big on your winter energy bills.

Create a meal plan

… and stick to it! Many of us are eating at home more these days and creating a meal plan can help save you time, effort and money. With a weekly or monthly meal plan, you won’t have the nightly debate on what to cook until it’s too late, and fast food is the easiest solution. And you’ll save big on your grocery bill by only buying ingredients for the meals on your plan, rather than purchasing random ingredients without a plan in place. You can also stretch the meals by making a little extra for leftovers the next day or two.

Save on water

Spending more time at home can also mean using more water. Hopefully your family still sees showering and brushing their teeth as an essential task, but there are ways you can continue to save water every day. Make sure to turn off the water while shaving (women, too!), brushing teeth and washing hands and consider setting a timer to shorten showers. You can also check for leaks in your pipes or toilet with the help of an Appliance Repair Services NYC plumbing expert to ensure you’re not wasting water without even knowing.

If you’re looking for more money-saving life hacks for the plumbing or HVAC system in your New York and New Jersey home, contact our professional technicians at (718) 577-7875 or schedule a consultation online today.

The post Money-Saving Life Hacks While Spending More Time at Home appeared first on Appliance Repair Services NYC.