Money Saving Expert Reveals Common Maintenance Mistake That Leads to Higher Energy Bills: ‘Just a Quick Reminder’

Performing this simple furnace maintenance every few months can save you a lot of money on your energy bills.

The scoop

TikToker PersonalFinanceSavant (@personalfinancesavant) shared a helpful reminder for homeowners that will help them save money on their energy bills.

@personalfinancesavant If you’ve noticed your energy bills have gone up recently and you don’t think your energy usage has increased, be sure to take a look at your furnace’s air filter. When the air filter needs changing, not only will your indoor air quality be reduced, but your energy bills may also increase because your furnace has to work harder to push air through a clogged filter . These usually last about 3 months or so, depending on the filter and system usage, but I recommend remembering to change them regularly. How long has it been since you changed your filter? #money savingtips #doityourself #homeownership #homemaintenance #financialfreedom ♬ original sound – PersonalFinanceSavant

“Just a quick reminder, because we change seasons here to always make sure you have a good, clean air filter in your boiler system,” he says.

Your furnace’s air filter accumulates dust and dirt over time, which clogs the filter and makes it difficult for air to pass through.

When you don’t change the filter, “your furnace isn’t doing as good a job cleaning the air, so it reduces your indoor air quality and…will increase your energy bills because the furnace has to work harder.” hard to get air through a clogged filter,” he says.

Air filters are relatively inexpensive and very simple to install. Make sure you purchase the correct filter for your furnace (your old air filter should be the size listed) and point the arrow in the direction of air flow. Next, drag the old filter and the new filter. It’s that simple.

How it works

Small improvements and simple maintenance can help you reduce your energy bill by tens or hundreds of dollars. It only takes a few minutes and “replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can reduce your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent,” according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

It might not seem like a big deal, but the little things add up. Other simple switches, like replacing your old incandescent bulbs with LEDs and unplugging sleep devices, will help you transform your home into a smart home and save you tons of money.

What people say

Commenters were grateful for the money-saving tips, and PersonalFinanceSavant mentioned that if “you have an Alexa or Google Home, these work great for setting reminders.”

Are you worried about the air quality inside your home?

Yes — often

Yes, but only sometimes

Only when it’s bad outside

No, I never do it

Click on your choice to see the results and express your opinion

Some users mentioned their strict schedules for filter changes. “I always change between seasons, that’s for sure,” one commenter said.

“Thanks for the reminder,” another user wrote.

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