Now more than ever, homeowners are looking for ways to cut back on electric bills and energy consumption. During certain times of the year, like now, during the winter, finding ways to save money and cut back on energy consumption through use of your heating and cooling appliances is even more important. During the winter and summertime, your heater and air conditioner have to work overtime to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

Thankfully, there are some tax credits you may be eligible for and there are heating and cooling options that can make your home’s energy usage much more efficient. Even better, these efficient options will result in noticeable differences in your energy bill each month.

Here are some examples of heating and cooling options to explore if you want to save money and energy:

Heat pumps—We always recommend heat pumps to homeowners who are looking for alternatives to new furnaces or air conditioners. Heat pumps are very energy-efficient and work by using electricity to move heat from place to place, particularly from a cool place into a warm space. The idea is to relocate the heat to make the cool space even cooler, while making the warmer area warmer. This is what heat pumps are designed to do, making them an affordable, energy-efficient option.

ENERGY STAR cooling options and ceiling fan installation—Ceiling fan installation is always a less expensive way to cool your home, but there are also air conditioning installation options that can save you both money and energy. For example, consider upgrading to a piece of ENERGY STAR cooling equipment. Many homeowners have had the privilege of cutting their annual electric bill down by $100 or more by replacing their cooling equipment with an ENERGY STAR option.

In addition to these tips, don’t forget to inquire about possible tax credits you could be eligible for!