Summer has finally arrived with a vengeance! However, the long awaited warm weather we’ve been craving for all year also comes with substantial surges in our utility bills. But cooling down your home doesn’t have to result in an increase cost to you. Here we will provide you with a few tips which will help you save on your electricity bill while also helping to save the environment. They require very little effort on your part!
Air Conditioner
1. Clean Your Air Conditioning Vents and Units
In order for an air conditioning unit to function efficiently, its filters, coils, and fins must be maintained regularly. Routinely replacing or cleaning its filters is very important to keep the unit(s) functioning effectively. Clogged and dirty filters block normal airflow and reduces a system’s efficiency significantly. Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption.
2. Get a Programmable Thermostat
Get a programmable thermostat. It is a very energy-efficient tool. It allows you to program what hours your home will be vacant and when you will be asleep. During those times, it will adjust the temperature of your home accordingly. This removes the hassle of constantly adjusting the thermostat and the dread of going home to a sweltering house. Remember to keep lamps and TVs away from the thermostat though.
3. Give Your Outdoor Air Conditioner a Cleaning
The coils of your outside air conditioning unit can become dirty. This reduces its efficiency. It is well worth it to spend the money to have bugs and grass clippings washed from the coils. It is also beneficial to have the unit checked and tuned every year. It will last longer and be less expensive while helping to keep you cool.
4. Replace Your Air Filter
Replacing a dirty Air Conditioning filter makes it easier to push air through the system. It also reduces energy consumption.
5. Turn Off Your Air Conditioner or Adjust the Temperature
Turning your AC off while you’re sleeping can result in huge savings. Even adjusting the temperature before you leave your house will save on the energy bill.
Other Appliances
6. Consider Your Weekly Laundry Usage
Laundry machines are a huge energy sucker. One easy way to lower this cost is to use the cold-water cycle on your washing machine. This also means the occasional cold shower is a good idea.
7. If You Have a Ceiling Fan, Use It
A ceiling fan is a great tool to use in conjunction with your air conditioner. A ceiling fan will cool the room by approximately 4 degrees which allows you to turn the thermostat down accordingly. If the climate permits, you can even eliminate the use of air conditioning altogether by solely utilizing a fan. Fans which carry the Energy Star label move air 20 percent more efficiently than those that don’t.
8. Lower the Temperature on Your Water Heater
Hot water is a great thing to have. However, it accounts higher energy usage. To prevent you from being scalded, you shouldn’t be heating water to more than 120 degrees. Turn it down f your setting is higher.
9. Put a Bowl of Ice Water in Front of a Fan
If your air conditioner breaks down, you can always try putting a bowl of ice water in front of a fan to cool it down instead. Even if your air conditioner is working, this setup could stop you from having to crank it up higher.
10. Switch to ENERGY STAR Appliances
The ENERGY STAR is an accolade given by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to a product that meets the rigorous energy-efficiency guidelines set forth by the U.S. government in order to reduce greenhouse emissions. ENERGY STAR certified homes are at least 10% more energy efficient than homes built to code and achieve a 20% improvement on average while providing homeowners with better quality, performance, and comfort. To learn more, go to energystar.gov.
11. Unplug Appliances Not in Use
Today’s electronic devices, from computers to blenders, continue to drain power even when they are turned off. You should unplug them when they are not in use.
12. Use Your Major Appliances Wisely
Run full loads of laundry and use cold water when you are able. Run your dishwasher only when it’s full, and air dry. Use the microwave instead of a convention oven.
Utility Company
13. Ask Your Energy Company About an Energy Audit
Your utility provider might offer an energy audit for free. It’s definitely something that is worth looking into. This audit is basically an analysis of how the energy flow works in your building. It could let you know the specific ways in which you could conserve energy better in the future.
14. Earn Peak Energy Credits
Some power companies will pay you to reduce your energy usage on Summer days when energy demand is highest. Typically, the time frame is between noon and 8 p.m. Speak with your utility company to find out if they have such an offer for their customers.
Miscellaneous
15. Check for Thorough Home Insulation
Air leakage occurs when air from the outside enters and conditioned air leaves your house through cracks and openings. Although you may not notice it, this makes it harder and more expensive for you to ventilate your home. Reducing the flow of air leakage is a cost-effective way to cut the price of cooling and maximize the functionality of your air conditioning system. Caulking and weather-stripping are the two most simple and effective air-sealing techniques that offer quick returns after investing.
16. Draw the blinds during the daytime
When sunlight hits your windows, it enters to generate heat inside your home. Draperies and blinds can help reduce heat gains if you put them down when the sun is blazing.
17. Fill Your Home With Greenery
This one is a total win for any green environmentalists out there. Planting trees and other forms of greenery around your home is a great way to keep your home cooler. It provides shade, decreasing the temperature.
18. Get Out of the House
By this we mean, go outside and use the grill. An indoor stove can raise your temperature as much as 5 to 10 degrees. I can attest to this myself. The temperature at my place goes from 73 to 79 degrees when I am cooking a meal for my family. Just remember not to leave the door open while you are outside grilling. You definitely do not want to air condition the whole neighborhood!
19. Swipe Out Your Light Bulbs
This seems simple, but it can actually save you up to $75 a year, according to NerdWallet. If you swap out your regular light bulbs with LED or compact fluorescent light bulbs, they’ll last much longer. Just look for the Energy Star label when you’re shopping.
20. Take Advantage of Natural Ventilation
If you live in a place where there are cool nights or regular breezes, take advantage of it. Eliminate electricity usage altogether by opening windows when it cools down outside. It’s even better if you have cross-ventilation like we did at our past accommodations.
BONUS TIP!
Have a nice refreshing shake!
This is by no means an exhaustive list of how to save money on your electric bills in the Summer. If you know of another tip which is not on this list and you would like it added, please let us know in the Comments section below.
These are great tips! We have a ceiling fan in our bedroom and I like it because it not only saves money, but I wake up feeling like I’m on a tropical beach somewhere!
Wow this is an excellent list of suggestions.
This is a great list of ideas – and it’s a win win, saving $ and helping the planet.
These are brilliant ideas! I never thought of the bowl of ice water by a fan…
Distinguished topic, informative article nice presentation that is what the people normally search for.
Great job