With the crisp spring air gone and the flowers all bloomed, you have probably dusted out your barbecue grill and cleaned up your yard for some summer fun. The weather is certainly fabulous and all you want to do is enjoy the much-awaited warmth.
Many people think that winter is the only time one needs to think about energy savings in their homes. However, summer is also a great time to prepare for ways to limit energy usage as well. Here are some tips on how you can save some energy in your homes — and some money in your wallet — while enjoying the warm weather.
Control Your Home’s Temperature
Most homeowners set their thermostats at an optimum temperature that they believe will help cool their homes. However, what they may not be aware of is that for every degree higher you set your thermostat over 26 degrees Celsius during the summer months, you could save approximately six to eight percent per degree off your home energy bill.
Generally, temperatures are cooler at night. Turn down your AC temperature at night or if you have a unit that allows you to put it to sleep mode, go for it. Open a window and let some fresh air in!
Investing in a smart thermostat will also help regulate home temperatures. They not only control temperatures within homes but also help monitor settings while you are on your way home on a hot summer afternoon.
You can also find relief and energy savings if you invest in a dehumidifier. This will help curb humidity and trap the cool air in a home.
Use Fans for Air Circulation
While AC is hugely relied on for cooler temperatures in your home, there is no harm in having a couple of floor or ceiling fans installed too. They can help circulate air in your home which means the AC won’t be using as much energy to pump air into the rooms. Aside from that, fans generally use much less energy than your AC units. It certainly is a great idea to have them as a backup.
Close Off Some Vents
Physics taught us that hot air rises! Generally, the basement of a home is the coolest. Closing off vents in the basement area and even in areas that you don’t require air flow can help focus your cool air in one area. This not only allows the smart function of air regulating but also helps curb your energy costs as the pumping of air is dedicated to one area rather than the whole house.
Clean Your Ducts
Regularly cleaning and checking your air ducts in your home is a must! Imagine investing in a highly efficient AC system and a cool automated thermostat but not having the air vents cleaned. No one wants to pay for dirty air coming through their vents. Cleaning vents regularly will not just help in cleaner air but will also allow for air to flow in and out efficiently, which in return will help smart usage of energy.
Limit Kitchen Appliance Usage
Kitchens generally tend to be warmer than other parts of the house. This is the room that is in constant use and where heat-generating appliances such as stoves, ovens and fridges are constantly used. Limiting the use of these appliances and trying to use them after sundown will certainly reduce energy costs. Aside from the benefit of off-peak usage of appliances, it helps in lowering temperatures in your home giving you overall energy savings.
Aside from the above tips, there are many other you can save your energy consumption during summer. Hanging curtains in your homes on all windows, purchasing ENERGY STAR lighting products, and grilling outside rather than cooking at home are a few more tips for saving energy. So what are you waiting for? Draw the curtains in your home, turn off the lights and step out for some grilled meals while saving the energy in your home.
