Yep, summer is here, at last. Fortunately, you don’t have to be uncomfortable in the summer heat to save a few bucks. By following these down-to-earth summer energy savings tips, you can keep the temperature, and your energy budget, within your comfort zone.
Dial it down
To begin, by simply reducing the difference between the outdoor and indoor temperature of your home, you will help cut your energy costs. By just turning your thermostat up for eight hours a day 7-10 degrees from your usual setting, you can save up to 10 percent annually on your energy bill. Okay, it can be difficult to go without the AC when it’s hot outside but just try to make these adjustments at night and especially when you’ll be out of the house for a few hours at a time.
Cool down the smart way
Better yet, what if you simply never had to touch the dial again? A smart thermostat can make these temperature changes effortlessly. Smart thermostats are Wi-Fi assisted appliances that automatically adjust the temperature settings for the utmost energy performance. Smart thermostats pick up on your habits and preferences and set up a schedule that automatically changes to energy-savings temperatures when you are asleep or out of the house.
Replace your air filter
You’ve read this before . . . Replacing your air filter is one of the simplest and most efficient things you can do to ensure that your AC runs smoothly and cost-effectively. Clogged, filthy filters hinder airflow and lower your air conditioner’s capacity to absorb heat. Swapping out a dirty filter with a clean one can reduce your AC’s energy usage by up to 15 percent.
Close those blinds and check your seals
Another tip to conserve electricity concerns your windows and doors. Kicking up the AC isn’t the only way to keep your house’s temperature down in the summer months. Take a walk through the house and close those blinds and curtains. This will help keep the rooms from warming up too much and taking a bit longer to cool.
Another tip to keep the hot air outdoors is to install weather stripping around your doors and windows. You might also want to caulk those obvious gaps, too. This will also keep cold air out and block warm air from escaping in the winter.
Use fans with your AC
Let’s face it. Running a fan is quite a bit cheaper than running your AC. In fact, running a fan 24/7 for an entire month would only add around $5 to your utility bill. Truth is, fans don’t really generate cold air – they just move the existing air around. This airflow produces a sort of wind chill that helps everyone feel comfier, but it does nothing to modify the temperature.
However, fans and air conditioning work very well together. If you turn on your air conditioning, a ceiling fan will let you set your thermostat roughly 4 degrees higher with no decrease in comfort. Just remember to turn the fan off when you leave the house. With no one around to feel the wind chill effect, the fans won’t be doing much more than simply pushing your energy bill a bit higher.
Steer clear of the oven
Cooking with a standard oven can add unwelcome heat to your house, obliging your AC to work somewhat harder. You’re better off cooking with a microwave or slow cooker. Moreover, use the summer heat as a reason to fire up the backyard barbeque. Outdoor grilling is a summer ritual for a reason – you can prepare scrumptious meats and veggies while holding back the outside heat.
Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances
Small activities such as turning off lights and unused appliances can also make a difference over time for your electric bill. Certain lights create heat and add to the temperature of your living space, so having them turned off can both save you money and keep your indoor climate cooler.
Another option is to install LED light bulbs. Nothing like regular incandescent bulbs, LEDs convert more energy into light instead of heat. They give off a little heat and help provide cooler indoor space during the hot weather.
Relax and unplug
You can also cut your electric bill a bit more by overcoming the vampires. So-called “energy vampires” are appliances and electronics that pull energy from electrical outlets when they are in standby mode or even turned off. By unplugging countertop appliances and using smart power strips for electronics and computer equipment, the DOE says you can save between $100 – $200 annually.
Close doors and vents
Closing doors and vents in unoccupied rooms is an effective energy-saving practice that significantly reduces electricity bills. When you close room doors, you prevent conditioned air from escaping, reducing the load on cooling systems.
Similarly, closing vents in unused areas helps maintain the desired temperature in the room. It optimizes the distribution of airflow, leading to energy and money savings. This practice, when done routinely, reduces unnecessary energy consumption.
Use energy efficient appliances
Okay, you need a new refrigerator or stove. That’s perhaps the best time to search for Energy Star appliances that meet or exceed the energy-efficient standards set by the EPA.
A wide range of appliances are Energy Star-certified, consisting of refrigerators, TVs, stoves, air conditioners and washers and dryers. These appliances consume far less energy than traditional appliances and can save up to 30 percent on your electricity bill.
Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees.
Yes, this is a good idea for any time of the year, but the relief of a cool shower in the summer is the perfect reminder to turn down the dial. Heating water makes up around 20 percent of your everyday energy use and a higher temperature setting simply means you’re consuming more energy to warm up the water more than needed.
Now’s also a great time to make sure your water heater is appropriately insulated and that you contact AC&R Services to perform any necessary maintenance tasks.
Speaking of maintenance . . .
Need some routine maintenance or are you looking for a new energy-efficient HVAC system? Just give us a call or stop by our showroom. AC&R Services is a one-source solution for today’s energy needs in conservation and comfort. We are proud of our experienced, licensed employees and 24-hour service. Call us anytime for a free consultation about your energy needs.