Saving money is on everyone`s mind at the moment and with summer heat rapidly approaching, you`re probably wondering how you can cut back on your energy bills. The warmer months are an excellent time to go bare bones with your electricity since you won`t need to be heating the house and less energy needs to be expended in general.
There are many ways you can save on energy bills this summer, let`s take a look.
Switch to fluorescent lighting. There are two good reasons to do this. One, fluorescent bulbs don`t give off heat, keeping the home just a little cooler in the heat of summer, and two, they save a LOT of energy. If you`re put off by the cold white light that we commonly associate with fluorescents, don’t worry, they now come in a more natural “yellow” lighting.
Air dry your clothing. If you have a yard or a flat roof or even a balcony, you can rig up a simple clothesline to hang out wet clothing. The hot sun not only dries clothes quickly, it also gives them that fresh, outdoor smell that is really very pleasant. There`s nothing nicer than snuggling into sun-warmed sheets at night and you`ll save big on energy since dryers tend to use a lot of electricity.
Turn off appliances. Things like stereos, DVD players, microwaves and even phone chargers use a lot of electricity even when you aren`t actively using them. Plug these types of appliances into power strips that can be turned on and off with the flick of a switch. You`ll be amazed at how much you can save by doing this.
Keep your lights off. During the summer, it tends to stay light fairly late. Don`t give in to habit and start flicking on lights early in the evening, leave the curtains open and enjoy the natural lighting while saving electricity. If you need more light for a project, consider using a lamp or investing in LED lighting which will provide you with intense, spotlight lighting and costs virtually nothing.
Turn off the air conditioning. You know the air conditioning takes up a lot of energy, but sometimes turning it off seems like a terrible option. Fortunately, you can make life more comfortable even without it by using white blinds to reflect heat in the windows, opening all windows and doors early in the morning to let cool air in and then closing the south facing ones once the sun is high. Another option is to install awnings over the windows or plant some shade trees.
Use ceiling fans. A fan can drop the perceived temperature by at least 4º, making a room far more comfortable while using just a fraction of the energy required by an air conditioning unit.
Make sure the air conditioner is running efficiently. If you do decide to use the cooling system in your home (in some areas, it might not be an option to go without!), then you`ll need to ensure that it is working as efficiently as possible. Have regular checks done and make sure the air filter is clean at all times. Setting your thermostat higher will also save money . . . you will save around 6-7% on your energy for every degree above 78º.
Invest in low energy appliances. While you might not want to actually go out and replace your existing appliances, if you are in the market for a new one, look for an Energy Star brand that will save you energy and money.
Saving on energy bills during the summer months is easier than during the winter, but it does take some dedication on your part. Are you ready to start saving?