Spring has sprung and summer is not far behind. With summer approaching, and the hot days that come with it, chances are your air conditioning will be running full time. With everything going on in the world right now, many are looking for ways to cut costs. But that doesn’t mean you should be uncomfortable in the heat. You can stay cool while also saving money. Try these tips and you’ll find a lower bill in your mailbox next month!
- Install Dimmer Switches – Dimmer switches will allow you to only use as much light as you need.
- Keep Your Fridge & Freezer Full – The food that you store in your fridge and freezer serves as insulation, so the more you have in there, the less your appliance must run to keep itself cold.
- Install Ceiling Fans – If you keep the air circulating in your home, your AC will not have to work as hard to keep the house cool.
- Line Dry Your Laundry – Let Mother Nature dry your clothes for you on warm, sunny days. When that is not possible, try using a drying rack indoors.
- Eliminate Phantom Loads/Vampire Energy – You may be shocked to know that about 75% of the energy used by home electronics is consumed when they are turned off. Some examples of these “vampire” users are: televisions, CD players, computers, and various kitchen appliances. The simple solution is to plug all these items into a power strip and then turn the power strip off when not using them. How to Save Energy by Eliminating Phantom Loads
- Install an Attic Fan – An attic fan will pull cool air into your home, and help to remove hot air.
- Shield Your Home from the Sun – You can cut down on air conditioning use by closing your curtains and blinds on the sunny side of the house. You may also want to consider planting trees that will provide shade during the sunny times of the day. 12 Fast-Growing Shade Trees
- Schedule Yearly HVAC Maintenance – Having your HVAC inspected and cleaned each year will save you money in the long run…and it will help provide cleaner air to your home.
- Change Your Filters Regularly – Filters should be changed every 30 days to keep your HVAC running at peak efficiency.
- Switch to LEDs – LED light bulbs use 90 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. Switch out the bulbs you use the most in your home and then change the rest as they burn out.
- Lower the Temperature of Your Hot Water Heater – 13% of your home’s energy goes to heating water. You can lower this percentage by setting your hot water heater to 120-130 degrees.
As you can see, while you may need your AC to keep cool during the warmer months, there are a lot of other ways to cut costs so that you don’t get a shocking electric bill in the mail!
Thinking of buying a home or selling your current home in New River Valley, VA? Then it’s time to contact Desi Sowers, your New River Valley, VA real estate resource! Give her a call today at 540-320-1328!
Photo Credits: employmentnews.gov.in, citizensutilityboard.org, energymakeovers.com.au