You’ve probably already turned on the air conditioning for the summer, and your electric bills have begun to reflect that. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce electricity usage, most of which only require a little extra attention and planning during the day. These include:
- Clear the thermostat: Don’t leave heat-emitting objects near the thermostat since these could trigger your AC to cycle on too often. These objects might include TV’s, computers, or lamps.
- Turn off the lights: Not only do the lights use electricity in their own right, they can also warm up a room, particularly if you’re still using incandescent bulbs. In the middle of the summer, this only makes your AC work that much harder to regulate indoor temperatures, further increasing energy usage.
- Regulate the thermostat: At night or when you’re away, turn off the thermostat. When you have it on, don’t turn it down as low as you normally would. The less of a difference there is between the outside temperature and the setting on your thermostat, the less your AC will have to work. Also, cranking the thermostat down too far too quickly can put extra strain on the unit, making it wear out faster and decreasing its efficiency.
- Turn off appliances: If you’re not in the room while the TV is going or if you never turn off your printer, you’re probably wasting more electricity than you realize. Turning off appliances when they’re not in use will help reduce your usage. For a little extra savings, unplug them too, since some appliances use energy even when they’re turned off.
- Close the blinds: Sunlight equals heat, and if you have tons of sun coming in through your windows, it will raise the temperature in your home. Thus, closing the blinds during daylight hours, particularly on south-facing windows, will result in decreased AC usage and lower energy bills.
- Use appliances during off-peak hours: Electric companies charge more for energy used during peak hours (times when more people tend to use electricity). Waiting to turn on the dishwasher, washing machine, or TV until after peak hours (or using them early in the morning before) will help save on electricity costs.
- Use energy efficient appliances: Many appliances have energy efficient options, so keep that in mind when replacing an old appliance. Also, grilling and microwaving uses less energy than cooking on a stovetop or baking with the oven.
In addition to these tips, keeping your AC well maintained will maximize its energy efficiency. To learn more about how we can help you save on energy bills this summer, contact us at Climate Tech Air Conditioning and Heating today!
