It’s summer, and it’s not just summer, it’s a very hot one. While we’re facing extreme temperatures, at the same time, U.S. consumers are dealing with the highest inflation in 40 years, which is driving up the cost of everything from food to energy. So how to save energy in summer? We made this blog to share with you all you need to know. But before, let’s run some stats:
In May, energy costs were almost 35% higher than they were a year earlier. Gasoline and fuel oil were the main reasons for this big jump. The consumer price index report for last month says that the cost of energy services has gone up by 16% over the past year and that the cost of electricity has gone up by 12%. This could make it hard for Americans to decide between staying cool this summer or paying hefty energy bills if prices go up.
Photo by Arturo Rivera on Unsplash
Here are some ways to save energy in summer so your air conditioner can stay on.
1. Make sure your home is running as efficiently as possible
Most cooling systems use electricity. Making sure your home is running as efficiently as possible can help you spend less on running air conditioners and fans and finally save energy in summer. So how to do it? First, do some general maintenance around your home to make sure it’s ready for the summer. Make sure to seal any leaks in windows or doors, especially if you’re using a window air conditioner.
2. Cold water is the key
Even if you like hot showers, summer isn’t the best time to take them. If you take a cooler shower, you’ll use less hot water while you save energy in summer. You should also use your dishwasher and washing machine less often, as clothes tend to be smaller. If you use them, remember to only wash full loads, this small trick will help you to save energy in summer.
3. No money? No problem!
4. Do an energy audit, and book a HVAC maintenance ASAP
Homeowners may benefit from having a home energy assessment or audit, in which a professional comes to your home and makes suggestions on how to make it more energy efficient. Most of the time, they’ll toggle the biggest problems, and will help you save energy in summer and all year long.
This summer, your air conditioner is the main character, so make any changes it needs to keep running well. Change the air filters on the inside and clean out the outside vents. Lastly, if the air conditioner doesn’t seem to be able to keep up with demand or if it needs to be tuned up, you may need to have a professional come look at it.
5. Be wise with your thermostat
When the heat is really bad, it’s important to make sure your home is safe and that you can keep the temperature inside at a level that won’t hurt your health. If you use fans and air conditioners often, you can save money in summer by only turning them on or turning them up to full blast when you’re home. You can set your thermostat seven to ten degrees warmer when you’re not home, or you can use timed plugs or devices with apps that let you set when the air conditioner runs.
You should also keep the blinds closed, especially in rooms that get direct sunlight. Also, to save energy in summer, even in less-used rooms, keep air vents open. This is a tip that often surprises people. Closing vents makes your air conditioner work harder and won’t save you money or cool rooms faster. If you don’t need to cool rooms that much, you can close 50–75 percent of the vents.
These small changes can help you save energy in summer and put less strain on your air conditioner. Don’t put electronics that give off heat, like lamps or computers, near the thermostat. This could cause the air conditioner to turn on when it doesn’t need to. During the summer, put a curtain over any window that lets direct sunlight in.
6. Use less heat-related appliances
People can also save energy in summer by not using as many appliances that make your home hotter and harder to cool in the summer. This could mean letting the dishes dry in the dishwasher or on a clothesline, using smaller appliances to cook single meals, or even giving up gas stoves.
Don’t use appliances that give off heat during the busiest times of the day. Don’t use your dishwasher or washing machine during the hottest part of the day, when there are a lot of other people doing the same thing. Instead, use them in the early morning or late evening. When it’s time to replace an appliance, look for one with the ENERGY STAR label. These appliances use less energy and heat up less.
7. Unplug things that aren’t in use
Don’t keep electronics that you don’t use plugged in if you want to save energy in summer. Even though one small appliance won’t have a big effect, having a lot of them could make your electricity bill go up.
8. Turn off the lights
“Turn off the lights when you leave a room,” your mother always told you. This is good advice any time of year, but it’s especially important in the summer because lights give off heat. Use lamps and only turn on the lights above you when you need to. Invest in energy-saving light bulbs.
9. Switch to a fixed energy rate plan
In addition to these tips for saving energy this summer, switching to a good energy plan is the first step toward a low electricity bill. Find out more about how to save energy in summer, and about our energy plans by visiting our website and putting your zip code. There are some plans tailored to your needs that give you flexibility and savings all year long.
