Are You Ready for Summer?

It is the first week of summer! Did you know you can save on energy costs around the house? Check out these following tips to help lower your A/C usage and save money this summer season.

Replace Your Air Filters

This has to be the easiest and most effective way to reduce your energy consumption and lower your energy bills. Make sure to change your air filters every month or two. Cleaning your air filters can lower your energy consumption by up to 15%. 

Place Appliances Strategically

Avoid placing lamps or entertainment systems near your thermostat. Your thermostat can sense the heat from these applianceswhich may cool your home more with unnecessary use of energy and waste your money.

Use Your Appliances When Needed

During the summer is when your energy bill may be the highest. Unplug any appliances that you’re not using from a microwave to a desktop computer. Try to lower your energy usage by unplugging or using a smart strip. The energy consumption of idle electronics may not seem much, however, altogether, the combined energy usage may put you in a higher tier of kilowatt per hour cost.

Wash Accordingly

Appliances like your dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers use a lot of energy and generate a lot of heat. You can prevent this by using cold water to wash your clothes and dishes. In addition, wash only when your appliances are at capacity to prevent running your appliances more than needed. 

Avoid Using the Oven

Using your oven can create unwanted heat and will make your A/C work harder. To keep your kitchen and home cooler, use other appliances like your microwave, slow cooker, or convection oven. Another way of saving energy is to cook outside with a grill with an old fashioned backyard barbeque. Outdoor grilling is a summertime activity for a reason by cooking your food and keeping the heat outside from your home.

Daylighting

When you can, take advantage of daylight instead of using artificial lighting. The heat from the lightbulbs can warm up your room. In addition, stay away from using direct sunlight. You can close your windows with curtains or blinds to keep your house cooler during the day.

LED Lighting

You can use lightbulbs that use less energy and are cooler in temperatures, like LEDs. LEDs use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer. They also run much cooler than incandescent lights.

Use Your Thermostat Wisely

Set your thermostat as high and comfortable as possible in 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Keep your house warmer than normal when your family is at school or work, and only lower your thermostat when people are present at home. Keep your doors open, so your air conditioner can  properly cool your home.

Install a Smart Thermostat

Upgrade your thermostat with a programmable smart thermostat that you can use with the touch of a button on your phone. They can sense the temperature of your home more efficiently and can provide more comfort than the average thermostat. You may qualify for a smart thermostat depending on your utility company. To find out if you qualify, call 800-818-4298 or request an appointment on our website.

‍Install a Whole House Fan

A whole house fan can help you save up to 90% on your cooling costs. Anytime in the evening when outside is cooler than your home, turn off your air conditioner and run a whole house fan. This technology pulls in the clean fresh air to quickly cool off your home and your attic. Part of the reason why your home is so hot in the evening is due to your attic getting up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit plus. To see if you qualify for a no cost whole house fan, you can visit the Summer Reliability Program.

Schedule an Appointment

Schedule a regular maintenance check for your HVAC system to ensure optimal efficiency. In addition, you can also discover where you can save energy and increase comfort in your home, whether that’s through weatherization, insulation, and more.