Tips to Save Energy This Summer

Every winter homeowners are always looking for ways to save on heating bills. But often the summer months are not looked at as closely. Unfortunately, lots of energy dollars could be wasted by not being just as energy conscious in the summer time. Here are some tips to keep your summer energy bills in check.

1. Raise your thermostat to a recommended 78 degrees. This is the top way to save energy.
2. When you are away from your home for an extended period of time, raise the thermostat setting and save on your energy bill.
3. Keep shades and blinds closed when the air conditioner is on. Sun coming through windows can account for up to 40 percent of unwanted heat in your home and make your cooling system or air conditioner work two or three times harder.
4. Check and clean your heating and cooling system filters. Cleaning and/or changing your filters monthly will help your system run efficiently.
5. Install ceiling fans. Don’t underestimate the importance of ceiling fans. Moving air all over the body provides a cooling effect. The use of ceiling fans can mean a savings on cooling costs and make the temperature seem ten degrees cooler.
6. Run appliances with large energy use late in the evenings. Use appliances such as the dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer late in the evening. When used during the day these appliances produce additional heat, causing your cooling system to work harder.
7. Use cold water to wash dishes and laundry. This will save on water heating costs.
8. Unplug equipment when not in use. The hidden culprit of vampire energy will suck the money out of your wallet on your energy bill. Unplug all chargers and equipment when not in use. Even if the device is not being used or charging something while plugged in they still consume energy driving your costs up.
9. Turn off lights when you are not in the room. Replace your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs to cut your lighting costs by up to 75 percent.