Summer energy-saving tips

Posted by Guest Blogger on June 29, 2012

It’s easier to save energy (and therefore, money) during the summer than you might think. Some solutions may seem obvious, but can still make a considerable dent in your electric bill. Here are a few simple activities that can help you conserve energy this summer.

1. Reheat or cook with the microwave, or grill outside. Grills and microwaves use less energy than your oven and will not heat up your living space. This will give your air conditioner less of a workout. As an added benefit, grilled food is often healthier than fried stove top meals.
2. Set your air conditioning thermostat to a higher temperature. By setting your thermostat to 78° F, your air conditioner will be running at a better performance level. Lowering the temperature even 5° to 73° F, could result in consuming 40 percent more energy.
3. Close your curtains or blinds. By blocking out the sun during the day, you’ll reduce the solar heat gain in your home and be able to use your air conditioner less.
4. Air dry your laundry. Your dryer uses a lot of energy and can heat up your home. By letting your clothes air dry outside, you’ll not only be saving energy, but your clothes will also feel and smell great.
5. Replace your furnace filter regularly, even during the summer months. This will help your air conditioner run more efficiently.
6. Use ceiling fans to supplement your air conditioning. Ceiling fans take advantage of the wind chill effect and will help you feel cool while keeping your thermostat at a higher setting.
7. Save water by installing low-flow shower heads. This is a great tip that will help you save energy year round!
8. A nice surprise! Your dishwasher uses less water (and less energy) than washing dishes by hand. For additional savings, turn off the appliance’s heated dry option, and let your dishes air dry.
9. Make your refrigerator more efficient. Clean your refrigerator’s cooling coils and keep your fridge full of food. This will reduce temperature loss when the door is open.
10. Install energy-efficient lighting that creates minimal heat. Only about 10-15 percent of the electricity that incandescent lights consume results in light—the rest is turned into heat. In addition to costing you more to light your home, the heat that incandescent bulbs produce could also affect your air conditioning costs.

These examples are just a few of many things that can help you to conserve energy. I’m sure that you have energy-saving ideas, too. Share these with your friends and neighbors! We can all work together to save energy and money this summer.