Did you recently get knots in your stomach after opening an energy bill? You’re not alone. Summer air conditioning bills can result in a big sticker shock, one that continues into the autumn. You spent what to keep your bedroom cool this month? The escalating energy expense can become a complicated beast to tame if homeowners delay action.

Fortunately, a few small measures can help both your account balance and the environment. Consider these three tips to help curb your power bills in 2018.

1. Clean Your HVAC System for Optimal Functioning

Nobody likes high energy bills, and your HVAC system can be one of the biggest reasons behind sticker shock. One of the significant inefficiencies in the majority of HVAC systems is related to air ducts. Disconnected pathways, excessive dirt, leaks, poor insulation and other blockers can disrupt airflow, resulting in higher bills and greater use of energy. Air duct cleaning from Jon Wayne Heating and Air and other similar companies offers a start in optimizing your duct health while opening a gateway for other problems to be accessed. Because reputable service companies know how costly inefficient HVACs can be, they try to make their plans as affordable as they can via membership programs and discounted pricing.

2. Cover Those Drafty Gaps in Your Walls

Carefully check all the exterior walls in our home and identify any spots where you can feel hot air coming into your house, then figure out how to prevent the heat from entering your space. Straightforward covers, such as placing a towel in the spot, work great temporarily, but it’s best to take more robust measures if you want a permanent fix. For instance, if it looks like hot air is entering from a spot near a socket, consider caulking around the edges or getting a new cover for that socket. If you feel a wave of heat from where a pipe or cord enters your house, consider blocking it with caulk or insulation, depending on the size of the hole. For spots around door frames, draft-blockers and weather stripping should get the job done.

3. Switch Off the Unnecessary

Did you know that leaving electronics and other power-consuming appliances on standby can cost homeowners a few hundred extra in energy bills per year? Why not switch off appliances when they’re not being used – you’ll reduce the unnecessary, and it also means lesser emissions.

For instance, the WiFi doesn’t need to be running 24/7. Develop the habit of switching it off when you’re sleeping or when nobody’s – it usually takes a few minutes to get it up and running again. Also, you might have a second fridge in your home that comes in handy at parties, but keeping it active the whole year can add a few hundred dollars to your energy bill so it’s cheaper to switch it off (the door can be held ajar to keep mold at bay).

Actively monitoring your home energy usage is one of the easiest ways to cut down your power bill, and it doesn’t involve shelling out loads of money upfront. Keep your HVAC system in tip-top shape, cover the gaps and leaks in your walls and ceilings, and switch off appliances when you’re not using them. Gradually, stressing about energy bills will become a thing of the past.