It’s summer. It’s Texas. It’s hot. Not a lot we can do about that. But we can help you discover ways to conserve energy and stay cool this summer. In this blog we're going to discuss various strategies to help you stay comfortable and save energy this summer without increasing your electric bill.
Follow these 10, simple tips around the house to keep your sanity and bills in check.
If you’re not home, there’s no sense in blasting the air conditioning. Keep it around 80. We know, that sounds hot, but if nobody is home, why not?
If it’s sunny, shut your blinds. Keeping the relentless sun from entering your home is essential if you want to save money on energy costs. At night, instead of relying on your air conditioning unit, take advantage of the lower temperatures by opening windows and allowing nature to cool your home.
Be a fan of ceiling fans. Keep air moving in your home so there’s always a nice breeze blowing through. This will help you cut down on energy costs and save money on your next energy bill.
Check your AC or HVAC system. Clearing a clogged AC filter can save up to 10% of your energy use. So, be sure to clean your AC and regularly check up on your HVAC system. Consider opting for home protection plans in the summer.
Seal off any gaps around doors and windows. It seems minor, but even the smallest crack or opening can let the cold air out and hot air in.
Say YES to LED light bulbs. Switch to fluorescent or LED lights that give off about 90% of the light and 10% of the heat, compared to regular old light bulbs. It’s a smart move if you want to reduce energy costs.
Turn off and unplug kitchen appliances that tend to run all day. This includes things like coffee machines, microwaves, and blenders. Why pump energy to them if you’re not using them? We also recommend plugging all these like appliances into a power strip, so you can easily turn them all off (and all back on).
Rearrange furniture to optimize airflow. This means making sure your furniture isn’t directly under or covering an air duct, stifling the flow of cool air.
Wash your clothes in cold water. This uses less energy, lowers energy costs, and your clothes will still get clean. Temperature doesn’t matter when it comes to getting your clothes clean.
Turn off the heat dry on your dishwasher. Instead, let them air dry. Heat dry uses more than 15% more energy than necessary, which can raise your electricity bill.
These might seem like small changes or require some extra effort, but taking the time to implement these small fixes can really add up and save you and your energy bill from heating up.
Stay cool, friends.
