Energy costs can skyrocket in the summer, Here are some tips below that can be used on a daily basis to increase your savings through the spring and summer.
Use your windows to gain cool air and keep out heat. If it cools off at night, turn off your cooling system and open your windows while sleeping. When you wake in the morning, shut the windows and close the window coverings to capture the cool air & to prevent heat gain through your windows.
Operate your thermostat efficiently. Keep your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lower the thermostat setting to 78°F (26°C) only when you are at home and need cooling. A programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature.
Use fans and ventilation to cool you home. If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort. Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. Remember that fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect. When you shower or take a bath, use the bathroom fan to remove the heat and humidity from your home. Your laundry room might also benefit from spot ventilation.
Keep your cooling system running efficiently. Schedule regular maintenance for your cooling equipment. Avoid placing heat sources near the AC thermostat. Vacuum air duct registers to keep the air flow coming.
Don’t heat your home with appliances & lighting. Avoid using the oven; cook on the stove, use a microwave oven, or grill outside. Use Energy Star Appliances. And find an alternative to incandescent bulbs. They produce more heat than light(about 85% of energy from this bulb is heat)
Keep hot air from leaking into your home. Seal cracks and openings to prevent warm air from leaking into your home. Add caulk or weather-stripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.
Lower your water heating costs. Water heating can account for 14% to 25% of the energy consumed in your home. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands.
For more ways to stay cool while saving energy, go to www.energy.gov. Click on ENERGY SAVER; Click on HEATING & COOLING; then click on ENERGY SAVER 101 INFOGRAPHIC, covering everything you need to know about home cooling.
-Courtesy of Energy.gov
Operate your thermostat efficiently. Keep your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lower the thermostat setting to 78°F (26°C) only when you are at home and need cooling. A programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature.
Use fans and ventilation to cool you home. If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort. Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. Remember that fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect. When you shower or take a bath, use the bathroom fan to remove the heat and humidity from your home. Your laundry room might also benefit from spot ventilation.
Keep your cooling system running efficiently. Schedule regular maintenance for your cooling equipment. Avoid placing heat sources near the AC thermostat. Vacuum air duct registers to keep the air flow coming.
Don’t heat your home with appliances & lighting. Avoid using the oven; cook on the stove, use a microwave oven, or grill outside. Use Energy Star Appliances. And find an alternative to incandescent bulbs. They produce more heat than light(about 85% of energy from this bulb is heat)
Keep hot air from leaking into your home. Seal cracks and openings to prevent warm air from leaking into your home. Add caulk or weather-stripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.
Lower your water heating costs. Water heating can account for 14% to 25% of the energy consumed in your home. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands.
For more ways to stay cool while saving energy, go to www.energy.gov. Click on ENERGY SAVER; Click on HEATING & COOLING; then click on ENERGY SAVER 101 INFOGRAPHIC, covering everything you need to know about home cooling.
-Courtesy of Energy.gov
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