With the summer heat in full bloom, it is important to cut energy consumption wherever possible. Here are 10 tips to keep your summer energy bill to a minimum.
Replace Your Air Conditioning Filters Regularly
1 – Replacing your AC filter at least monthly can give you an energy savings of 1–2%.
Seal Your Home
2 – Sealing leaky doors and windows, as well as putting foam gaskets behind outlet covers, can save up to 2% on energy costs.
Buy ENERGY STAR® Products
3 – Buying and utilizing various ENERGY STAR® products can lead to big energy savings.
Some examples:
An ENERGY STAR® programmable thermostat can save you anywhere from 1–3% on your next energy bill.
Utilizing ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent bulbs in lights that you leave on for extended lengths of time can save you 0.2% for each hour of operation. This may seem small, but adds up quickly.
Use Ceiling Fans
4 – Using ceiling fans on “medium warm” days can reduce the need for running the AC, dramatically increasing your energy savings.
Close Air Ducts
5 – Closing air ducts to non-essential rooms in your home reduces the space that must be cooled by your air conditioner.
Watch Your Thermostat Settings
6 – Air flow is also an area to keep in mind, especially during the summer months. An average of 1–3% can be saved for each degree the thermostat is set above 72.
Keep the Windows Open and the Air Conditioning Unit Off
7 – Avoid using your air conditioning unit until it is absolutely necessary. Opening the windows during the cooler parts of the day and at night can help cut energy consumption significantly. Also, drink plenty of water to keep your body cooler.
Saving on Your Car’s Gasoline Bill
8 – When driving your car during the summer months, drive with the windows down. This saves on the amount of gas your car uses. Remember, though, that this is only useful when driving at speeds below 45 mph, as the air drag from driving above 45 with your windows open offsets any energy savings.
BBQ or Use a Crock Pot to Save Energy
9 – Keep your house cooler by cooking outdoors! Cooking without using a stove is another way to save energy. Using crock pots generates less heat than conventional cooking, and grilling outdoors keeps the heat outside of your home.
Insulate Your Attic!
10 – Insulating your attic properly can also save you money. This is especially true during the summer, because effective insulation keeps the cool in and the heat out. This can also be applied to windows, where installing thick shades keeps out the sunlight, and thus the heat.
