Here we are, facing another summer without great insulation! Oy, I should really look into what it takes to properly insulate the house. Perhaps Brian and I will circle back on that when the weather is cooler. In any case, if there’s any indication that our home’s energy efficiency needs some work, it’s the higher energy bill we just got! Our bill doubled in one month. Ouch. After we reviewed our hourly usage breakdown in our utilities account, we discovered that the increase was due to our AC’s automated temperature settings. We reevaluated our temperature schedules, which got me thinking about other simple ways to save on summer energy costs.
Temperatures rise, but energy costs don’t have to
Many residents naturally anticipate an increase in utility expenses during the hot summer months. Much like in the winter months, staying comfortable in extreme temperatures can come at a cost, leading some to carelessly use energy since they expect higher bills regardless. But just because increased costs are likely, it doesn’t mean that you can’t still find ways to save money!
Money-Saving Tips
Score summer energy savings with these five easy tips.
1. Keep up with proper AC maintenance
Arguably, the most apparent tip is to ensure your air conditioning system is ready for the summer season. Routine maintenance helps keep the AC running efficiently. In addition to scheduled maintenance, you can take other steps to ensure your AC is up to the cooling challenge:
- Change the air filters.
- Remove any obstacles blocking air vents.
- Clear debris off of the outdoor unit as well as the area around it.
- Consider a programmable thermostat to ensure energy use when needed.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it’s best to set your indoor temperature at 78 degrees while you’re home. Personally, I would be fine setting it higher than that, but I also no longer live alone! So, Brian and I compromised and selected temperatures ranging from 72 to 77 at different times of the day. Programmable thermostats, especially ones with remote access, offer comfortable convenience, energy savings, and improved efficiency in managing heating and cooling costs.
2. Make use of fans
Instead of turning on the AC right away, consider switching on fans instead. Ceiling fans and other cooling fans can be extremely effective at keeping you comfortable on a hot day. They are also significantly more affordable and energy-efficient compared to central AC units. In fact, running a fan for a full 24 hours uses less energy than 15 minutes of air conditioning!
However, before switching on your ceiling fans, you want to be sure the fan blades are set to rotate counterclockwise. This direction is best suited for summertime as it pushes cooler air down, creating a “wind chill” effect.
3. Stagger the use of major appliances
Be mindful of running the dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, or any other major appliance while your air conditioning is running. These other appliances may drain energy from your AC unit, causing it to perform inadequately and therefore costing you more in the long run.
4. Line dry clothing
Speaking of major appliances, why not forego machine drying altogether? Instead of using power to dry your clothes, consider investing in a drying rack or clothesline for a more eco-friendly option. Not only will line drying save you some money, but it will also extend the lifespan of your clothing.
5. Get out of the house
The more time spent elsewhere, the less likely it is that you’ll run up your home’s energy bills! Of course, you’ll have to be sure not to impulsively drop cash wherever you go. Whether you’re out hiking, house sitting thanks to Trusted Housesitters, or attending free summer events in your community, getting out of the house can help you cut down on energy usage.
You can also choose to get out of the house while hanging out at home. For instance, instead of cooking indoors, you could grill out in the backyard. There’s something about using a grill that just feels like summer. Also, it doesn’t hurt that it keeps your home cooler since you’re not cooking away in the kitchen!
Save for Summer Fun
The idea of saving on energy costs might not be very exciting or motivating to some folks. However, I think reframing it as having extra money to spend on summer fun could be just the motivation needed to make some money-saving changes around the house.
Energy consumption can cost a small fortune, especially during a particularly toasty summer. By making small changes in our energy usage, such as utilizing ceiling fans or configuring a programmable thermostat, we can significantly reduce our energy bills.
Wouldn’t it be way more enjoyable to save some extra cash and put it towards your own summer plans? We certainly think so 😀.
4 Responses
This article is great! Thank you.
I want to add one more tip regarding reducing energy consumption. While many people think it’s best to turn off the AC completely when leaving home for a few hours, in reality, it’s more efficient to adjust your thermostat instead. Set your thermostat to a higher temperature when you’re away (around 85 degrees) and then lower it back to your comfort level when you return. This approach avoids the energy-intensive process of cooling down a significantly heated home, which can be more taxing on your AC system and lead to higher energy usage.
Thank you! That’s a great tip. It’s been way easier for us to follow with a programmable thermostat!!
Here’s one more tip that could significantly reduce your energy consumption and bills: switch to a tankless water heater. Tankless heaters can save you between 8% and 34% on energy bills, depending on your household’s water usage. If you’re currently using a traditional water heater with a tank, it’s worth considering this upgrade.
I hadn’t heard about that before. Interesting! Thanks for sharing 🙂