Summer is officially here, and with rising temperatures, we can expect our electricity bills to soar too. These hot months often lead to the increased use of air conditioners, unfortunately resulting in steep electric bills. As the mercury rises, customers on average utilize 35% more electricity. Naturally, like fuel consumption in our vehicles increases during road trips, our electric bills also inflate due to the increased energy usage.
So, how can we stay comfortably cool while keeping a lid on our energy expenses and consumption this summer? Here are ten practical tips to help balance comfort with cost.
1. MAINTAIN YOUR AIR-CONDITIONING UNITS AND VENTS: To ensure that your air conditioning system operates efficiently, it’s essential to maintain its filters, coils, and fins regularly. An important aspect of this is routine replacement or cleaning of air conditioning filters. When clogged or dirty, these filters significantly reduce system efficiency by hindering airflow. Just by keeping your A/C unit’s filter clean you can save up to 5-15 percent of energy usage, prolonging the lifespan of your unit and saving you the cost of future replacements.
2. UTILIZE YOUR CEILING FAN: A ceiling fan efficiently complements your air conditioner, potentially saving up to 40 percent of electricity consumption. In certain climates, you might not even need an air conditioner if a ceiling fan suffices. Remember, fans cool people, not rooms; so, switch them off when the room is vacant. Also, ensure that your fans rotate counterclockwise in summer and clockwise in winter for optimal benefit.
3. INVEST IN A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT: A programmable thermostat is a cost-efficient upgrade to your home’s cooling system. It allows you to schedule temperature adjustments for periods of dormancy or vacancy, eliminating the need for constant manual manipulation.
4. SPEND TIME OUTDOORS: Summer presents the perfect opportunity to indulge in outdoor activities with friends and family. By being outdoors, you not only save on the energy required to cool indoors but other utilities like lights, water heating, and cooking appliances.
5. AIR DRY CLOTHES: Sun-dried clothes not only smell great but drying clothes outdoors helps you save on electricity bills as well. A clothesline in your backyard is all you need, with less shaded areas translating to quicker drying.
6. LEVERAGE THE SHADE OF PLANTS: Strategically planting shrubs and trees on the south and west sides of your house, or over your outdoor A/C unit, can increase the efficiency of your cooling systems by up to 10 percent. These plants reduce heat radiation and cool the air before it reaches your house.
7. OPT FOR OUTDOOR SOLAR LIGHTING: It doesn’t get any better than utilizing solar energy for outdoor lighting. Besides reducing electricity usage, it offers free illumination at night, making it a win-win situation.
8. SWITCH TO COLD WATER LAUNDRY: Consider using cold water for laundry. By doing so, you reduce your washer’s energy consumption by 90 percent mainly because there’s no need to heat the water.
9. ADOPT LED OR FLUORESCENT BULBS: Replace traditional bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs or LEDs. These are highly efficient, cost-effective, and emit significantly less heat energy than standard bulbs, which is beneficial in the hot summer months.
10. VENTILATE WITH NATURAL NIGHT COOLNESS: If your location experiences cool nights, consider turning off the cooling system and opening windows for natural ventilation. In the daytime, keep windows closed and blinds drawn to prevent heat intrusion.
To summarise, these strategies collectively promise significant reductions in your electricity costs. Do bear in mind that individual results may vary based on your existing habits and commitment level. So, choose the tips most applicable to your home and lifestyle, stick with them, and enjoy a comfortable, energy-efficient summer.
