HOW CAN I Cut ENERGY Costs?
Summer is going full blast, which means we crank up the AC for heat relief. But don’t let it bust your budget! It’s also a good time to save energy.
I Want SMART has these green solutions to save you a lot of green this summer.
Follow three simple tips to help you save energy and pocket the savings:
How and when to touch that dial
When you’re at home, set your thermostat as high as you can and still feel comfortable – 78° is generally recommended. Minimize the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures to use less energy, lowering your overall bill. The same goes for when you leave on vacation: set the thermostat higher than normal so you don’t experience a spike in your bill for the time you’re away.
After returning home, it’s not unusual to want a cool home fast, but setting your thermostat colder than normal does not cool your home any faster; it actually drives up energy expenses. Close all doors to rooms that trap heat and turn on your ceiling fan to increase cooling efficiency.
It’s time to Maintain your AC system
Schedule a maintenance check for your AC unit to ensure it’s still effective and meets standards. Especially for an outdoor unit, make sure your system is weatherproofed and the registers/cooling fins are clear of dirt, dust, dandelions, and other debris to prolong the life of your equipment and improve air flow. There are some things only a professional can do, such as checking the coolant level.
Additional tip: placing lamps or TVs near your thermostat causes misreadings because the thermostat senses heat, signaling your AC system to run longer than needed. Clear the path around your thermostat for the most accurate reading.
Avoid adding extra heat to your home from appliances
On particularly hot days, resist activities that generate a lot of heat. These might include using a computer, dishwasher, curling iron, or hair dryer. Instead of using your oven, grill outside, or break out a microwavable meal.
After a long day of working or exercising in the sun, it’s tempting to wash smaller loads to get rid of sweat stains, or take longer showers to clean off. Using as little hot water as possible – in the form of shorter showers or consistently full loads of laundry – is a sure way to save energy!
