How to Slash Your Summertime Energy Bill
1. Turn your thermostat up. You can save 2 to 3 percent of your cooling costs for every degree higher you set your thermostat! Now that’s a cool idea to save money on your power bill each month!
2. Use fans! Circulating air will make higher thermostat temperatures feel more comfortable. Be sure to turn your fans off when you are not in the room or at home. Fans are for the comfort of those in the room and should be used only when you are in the room. Running the fans in an empty room just adds to your power bill.
3. Check those air filters! Dirty filters make it harder for your AC unit to work, which costs more money on your energy bill. Changing your filters once a month can help your air conditioner work more cost-effectively. If it’s been a long time since you’ve had your AC unit serviced, call a HVAC repair guy for a quick check up. A properly running AC unit will cost much less than one that is not operating effectively.
4. Make sure your AC vents are not blocked by furniture. What good is an AC vent if the air can’t blow into the room? Air from your vents should have the room to circulate freely through-out. Any blockage will make a room feel hotter than the rest of the house.
5. Use the grill or microwave more often to avoid adding more heat in the house from use of the oven. (Hint: this is a great excuse to eat out!)
6. Many electronic appliances use electricity even when they are turned off! Make sure your DVD players, phone chargers, and televisions are unplugged when not in use. A simple power strip will make this much easier. Simply plug in the respective appliances and hit the “off” button on the power strip when those items are not in use.
7. Replace conventional light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75 percent less energy and save a bundle on power bills, and also give off less heat than a standard light bulb.
8. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows to keep hot air out and cold air in. You don’t need to cool the whole world, just your house! Small gaps around your doors can let a lot of your cool air out.
9. Run appliances that add heat and moisture to the air (such as your clothes dryer) after the sun goes down.
10. Create Shade! Plant trees, shrubs, and vines to shade your home and windows. Also, simple things like installing patio covers and awnings can have a cooling effect on your home. Don’t forget to keep your blinds closed to block sunlight during the hot times of the day.
Energy savings is important all year long, but slashing your summertime utility bills can take a few extra steps.
