10 Most Effective Energy Saving Tips This Summer

Tips and Tricks for Saving Energy

Summers in the United States and Canada have been among the hottest on record in recent years. The last six years are the warmest on record. 

Apart from being an environmental calamity, these scorching summer days can also be a financial disaster. The heating and cooling system in your home accounts for the majority of your energy expenditure. With your air conditioner working nonstop throughout summer, you should expect your electric expenses to spike between June and September.

Fortunately, you don’t have to boil in the scorching heat of summer just to save a few dollars. You can keep the temperature, and your wallet, comfortably within the comfort zone by following these simple summer energy-saving recommendations.

1. Examine Your Heating and Cooling System

For your air conditioner to function well over time, it will require regular maintenance. Basic maintenance is neglected, resulting in poor performance and excessive energy consumption. The coils, fins, evaporative cooler, and heat pump may all need to be inspected by a specialist.

Fortunately, you don’t need to be a qualified HVAC expert to perform a basic check on your air conditioner and ensure that it is functioning properly. Vacuum your air vents on a regular basis to remove any dust accumulation and to check that no furniture or other things are restricting the airflow. Keep lighting and televisions away from your thermostat. The thermostat will detect the heat generated by these appliances, causing your air conditioner to run longer than necessary.

2. Replacement of Air Filters

One of the simplest and most effective ways to guarantee that your air conditioner runs smoothly and efficiently is to replace the air filter. Filters that are clogged or dirty reduce circulation and reduce the ability of your air conditioner to absorb heat. By replacing a dirty filter with a clean one, you can save up to 15% on your air conditioner’s energy use.

Every month or two, clean or replace the filter in your air conditioning system. If your air conditioner is used frequently, is exposed to a lot of dust, or you have fur-shedding dogs, your filters may need to be changed more frequently. A filter will be put in the grill of single-room air conditioners that faces the room. The filter is located somewhere along the length of the return duct in central air systems. Walls, ceilings, furnaces, and the air conditioner itself are all common sites.

3. The Best Choice Is To Use LED Bulbs

If you’re still using incandescent lights, it’s time to upgrade to LEDs. Only a small fraction of the electricity consumed by incandescent light bulbs is converted into light, with the remainder being lost heat. LED lights are now the most energy-efficient lighting alternative. Incandescent lights use more than half the energy of LED lights, last more than twenty times as long, and operate at a much lower temperature. Although they are initially more expensive, the energy savings quickly pay for themselves.

4. Make Good Use of Your Thermostat

In the summer, set your thermostat as high as you can stand it, ideally 78°F or more. Every degree of additional cooling increases energy use by six to eight percent. When your family is gone at school or work, keep your house warmer than normal, and only lower the temperature when everyone is home. When the air conditioner is on, don’t lower the thermostat. It won’t make your house cool any faster and may waste electricity.

A smart thermostat can help with these temperature changes. Wi-Fi equipped smart thermostats automatically alter the temperature settings in your house for maximum energy efficiency. When you are asleep or away, smart thermostats learn your habits and preferences and create a schedule that automatically adapts to energy-saving temperatures.

Some states and local governments provide rebates for installing a smart thermostat, so looking for rebates or other discounts in your area can help you save money on a new device. Check with your energy provider to see if they provide any smart thermostat savSome states and local governments provide rebates for installing a smart thermostat, so looking for rebates or other discounts in your area can help you save money on a new device. Check with your energy provider to see if they provide any smart thermostat savings.ings.

5. When Using Your Air Conditioner, Use Fans

Using a fan instead of air conditioning saves you money. In fact, operating a fan continuously for a month would only cost you roughly $5 in electricity. Unfortunately, they only move the existing air around and do not produce cold air. The air movement produces a wind chill effect that makes people feel more at ease, but it has no influence on the temperature.

Fans and air conditioning, on the other hand, function nicely together. If you have air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the temperature by 4°F without sacrificing comfort. When you leave the house, remember to switch off the fans. The fans aren’t doing much except raising your energy cost because there are no people around to feel the wind chill effect.

6.Close Your Curtains

During the day, close your shades or drapes to keep the sun’s greenhouse impact at bay. The sun’s heat is concentrated on the southern and western walls, therefore invest in good drapes or shades for these windows and keep them closed. North-facing windows let in a lot of natural light, with low glare and nearly no unwanted heat gain in the summer. These blinds can be left open to allow natural light into your home without overheating it.

7. Purchase an Energy-Saving Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier is an excellent partner for your air conditioner in hot, humid areas and a terrific way to reduce humidity levels in your home. A dehumidifier helps you save money on electricity because your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard. When your home’s air is overly humid, your air conditioner has to do double duty, cooling the air while also eliminating moisture. A system that works too hard may break down more frequently, necessitating extensive and costly repairs.

8. Avoid Using The Oven

Cooking in a conventional oven can trap heat in your home, requiring your air conditioner to work harder. To keep the kitchen cool, use the microwave or slow cooker more often. Better still, make use of the summer heat to fire up the old backyard grill. Grilling outside is a summertime ritual for a reason: you can prepare delectable meats and vegetables while keeping the heat at bay.

9. Cleaning Methodologies

Dishwashers, washers, and dryers all generate considerable heat. To reduce this, simply wash your clothes in cold water. To avoid overusing the appliances, wash full loads of dishes and clothes. Avoid using your dryer at all costs. Hang damp items to air dry after washing.

The cold water method can be used on your body, as well as your clothes and utensils. A cold shower may take some getting used to in the hot, steamy summer months, but it can be crisp and refreshing.

You can also lower the temperature on your water heater because you’re not using as much hot water. You can save a few dollars each month by setting your heater to the warm setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

10. Protect Your Residence

Insulation isn’t just for the colder months of the year. One of the most effective ways to keep warm air out and cool air in is to prevent air leaks. Simple caulking and weather-stripping can cut heating and cooling expenditures by almost half.

Throughout The Year, You Can Save Money on Your Energy Bill

Energy conservation isn’t just for the summer. Many of these suggestions will save you money throughout the year. Your home will stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter thanks to air sealing, insulated curtains, and smart thermostat usage. Developing sensible energy practices will minimize waste, increase efficiency, and lower your annual energy expenditure.