Summer is fast approaching, and we’ve already endured some balmy days. Since heating and cooling costs account for 50 percent of a home’s energy bills, according to the Department of Energy,
It’s wise to find ways to stay cool and safe without breaking the bank.
Tips to Lower Energy Bills This Summer
Check Your Air Conditioning
Your air conditioner requires regular maintenance to function efficiently throughout its years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures poor performance and unnecessarily high energy use. Checking the coils, fins, evaporative cooler, and heat pump may require the services of a professional.
Replace Your Air Filter
Replacing your air filter is one of the easiest and most effective things you can do to make sure that your A/C runs smoothly and efficiently. Clogged, dirty filters block normal airflow and reduce your air conditioner’s ability to absorb heat. Replacing a dirty filter with a clean one can lower your A/C’s energy usage by up to 15%.
Clean or replace your air conditioning system’s filter every month or two. Filters need more frequent attention if your A/C is in constant use, is subjected to excessive dust, or if you have fur-shedding pets.
Use Your Thermostat Wisely
Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer, ideally 78°F or higher. Every degree of extra cooling will increase energy usage six to eight percent. Keep your house warmer than normal when your family is away at school and work, and lower the temperature only when people are at home. Avoid lowering the thermostat while air conditioning is running. It won’t cool your house any faster and may result in energy waste.
Use Fans With Your A/C
Running a fan is much cheaper than running your air conditioning. In fact, running a fan 24/7 for an entire month would only cost about 5 dollars on your electricity bill. Unfortunately, don’t actually produce cold air—they just move the existing air around. The air flow creates a wind chill effect that helps people feel more comfortable, but it does nothing to change the temperature.
Close Your Blinds
Close your blinds or drapes in the daytime to keep out the greenhouse effect of the sun. Southern- and western-facing walls take the brunt of the sun’s heat, so invest in good drapes or shades for the windows on these walls and keep them closed. North-facing windows admit relatively even, natural light, producing little glare and almost no unwanted summer heat gain. You can leave these shades open to admit natural light into your house without heating things up.
Avoid the Oven
Cooking with a conventional oven can add unwanted heat to your house, forcing your A/C to work harder. Do more of your cooking with a microwave or slow cooker to keep the kitchen cool. Better yet, use the summer heat as an excuse to fire up the old backyard barbeque. Outdoor grilling is a summertime tradition for a reason—you can cook delicious meats and veggies while keeping the heat outside.
