Summertime Energy Saving Tips

No one wants to spend more money than they have to, and one of the largest expenses is your energy bill. Continuing from our last post where we talked about how you can save energy using the correct landscape as well as by using solar power, here are some tips for how you can cut your energy usage – and save money – this summer:

1. Clean your air filter – A dirty air filter makes it harder for your AC unit to cool your home, meaning that it takes more energy – and more money – to get your home as cool as usual
2. Switch to LED or CFL lights – CFL and LED lights use less energy to operate than incandescent lights, which makes them less expensive to operate. Currently, LEDs – while more energy efficient – tend to be more cost prohibitive than CFLs, whose up-front prices are reasonable. On the other hand, both CFL and LED lights usually last longer than incandescent bulbs, so you replace the light bulb less often – saving you money in the long run.
3. Stock your fridge – Empty space in a fridge or freezer is cold air that can escape when the door is opened. When that happens, you let warm air in that then needs to be cooled, and that cooling needs to be paid for.
4. Don’t Put Hot Things in the Fridge or Freezer – Cooling things down in the fridge or freezer takes energy and money. Instead of putting things like leftovers directly in the fridge when they’re warm, let them cool off a bit (just not so long that bacteria growth starts) to save money. Use cool or cold water to make ice. If something isn’t already froze, put it in the fridge first – it will also freeze better this way.
5. Make sure your air conditioner is working at peak efficiency – The rated efficiency of your air conditioning unit isn’t necessarily the efficiency you’re getting. Regular maintenance is necessary to make sure your AC continues to run efficiently – not just to make sure it won’t break on you, though that can also happen. Call a trusted HVAC company like Hutchinson to make sure you get the maximum efficiency out of your unit.
6. Don’t Cool Your Home More Than Necessary – An easy way to save money on AC this summer is to not use more AC than you need. That goes for cooling rooms that you are not using and cooling your home when you aren’t there – both easily solved with zoning and the right thermostat or by adjusting air vents in unused rooms. Of course, another easy money saver is to not cool your home so much in the first place – raising the thermostat by just a degree or two can save a lot of money. Just don’t overdo it and get into a danger zone with the heat – or your comfort.
7. Insulate your home – You can save a lot of energy and money by preventing change in your home’s temperature. Insulation is a key factor in keeping the temperature in your home where you want it, and is one of the easiest ways to save energy when cooling your home. Insulation can save the average home 20% on cooling costs – though there comes a point where adding more insulation is not worthwhile.
8. Air Seal Your Home – All of the insulation in the world won’t keep your cool home that way if there are other leaks. Improper air sealing lets your air conditioning escape, forcing the AC unit to work harder to keep your home cool. Air leakages account for up to 40% of residential energy losses.
9. Fix the Leaks in Your Duct Work – Around 10% of the air in ducts is typically leaked before it reaches the proper part of your home. Kill some (or all) of those leaks to save more money on your electric bill.
10. Turn Electronics Off and Unplug When Possible – Even if they’re in sleep mode, all of your gadgets are continuously using energy so long as they are not off. Even if electronics are off, anything that plugs in to the wall is constantly drawing some energy. When possible, unplug them so that you don’t use more energy and money than you think you are using. Try plugging gadgets into a power strip and turning the strip off when you won’t be using them for a while – like when you’re finally on vacation.