Do you turn off lights when leaving a room? Lower your thermostat when you’re not at home? Turn off the water while brushing your teeth? Group errands together so you do less driving?

Making the right decisions about how to save energy can have a big impact on annual energy costs and the environment. But are you making the smartest choices and doing the right things to achieve that goal?

You may think so, but there’s a big difference between “energy cutting” and “energy efficiency.” Many people mistake energy cutting for energy efficiency but while both are positive actions in the right direction, there is a big difference. 

• Turning off lights when leaving the room = energy cutting
• Replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights = energy efficiency

Energy cutting saves energy in the short-term. But if you really want to make a dent into your energy savings, you need to take the extra step into energy efficiency.

• Lowering your thermostat when you’re not at home = energy cutting
• Replacing your heating equipment with a unit that is more energy-efficient = energy efficiency

Replacing your home heating equipment is the first and smartest step you can take to be truly energy-efficient and save money. Here’s why:

• Home comfort – If your current system is too big or too small it is likely not heating your home adequately.
• Reliability – Most repairs occur during heavy use months. You won’t need to worry about repairs with new equipment.
• Environmentally-friendly – Changing from older energy units and high repair costs to new equipment helps you save money, live a greener lifestyle and help the environment.

Plus, with tax credits and other financial incentives, now may be the best time to do it!