Follow these steps to stay cool and keep your summer energy use in check.
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When summer heat blazes, most households turn up their AC to keep cool. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), air conditioning makes up about 19% of electricity usage in American homes. Reducing your extra summer energy usage can help you manage your energy bill and improve your carbon footprint.
Follow these tips to keep your energy usage and bills from spiking this summer.
Inefficiencies in your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can become costly due to wasted energy. To ensure your system is operating smoothly, have an HVAC professional inspect and service your cooling system before temperature and air conditioning usage get too high. This is a common service offered by many HVAC companies.
You can save up to 10% on energy costs by keeping your house 7 to 10 degrees warmer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), this works best when the warmer temperature is consistent for at least 8 hours a day. A programmable thermostat can make this easier. You can program it to a warmer temperature when you are out of the house. Then, set it to a cooler temperature at night for a comfortable sleep.
Ceiling fans can cool your home enough to allow you to raise your thermostat by 4 degrees, according to the DOE. While ceiling fans are the most effective in circulating air, window fans or standalone fans can also help you stay cool without cranking up the air conditioning.
The right type of window coverings can help keep your home’s temperature down during hot months. The DOE recommends products certified with the Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC), which certifies that the window covering meets standards for energy performance.
Internal and external window coverings can help regulate temperature and decrease summer energy usage.
Like window coverings, trees and greenery around your house can also help decrease the amount of heat around the home. When trees move and release water vapor, the surrounding air temperature can lower by six degrees. When this cool air travels to the ground under the tree, it can result in the area dropping as much as 25 degrees cooler, according to the DOE. Consider planting trees around your property to block sunlight into your home.
You may be tempted to turn up the air conditioning if you are cooking in front of a hot oven or stove. Grilling outside or eating more cold foods can decrease summer energy use and encourage families to spend more time outdoors.
The water in your dishwasher is usually at least 120 degrees. Clothing dryers reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees while in use, according to GE. Avoid placing extra pressure from the heat of these appliances on your AC by running them in the early morning or evening when temperatures are cooler.
A: While the above suggestions offer tips on lowering your electric bill, the exact dollar amount will be dependent on where you live, your energy rate, and other factors.
A: There is a common misconception that if your home is warmer, your air conditioning system will need to “work harder” to bring the temperature back down. However, the DOE explained that this is a misconception. A higher temperature slows heat flow in your home and reduces AC consumption.
A: If your air conditioning unit is older than 10 years or no longer cooling effectively, it should be checked by an HVAC professional or replaced, according to ENERGY STAR standards.
Replacing older, ineffective air conditioning systems with ENERGY STAR-certified appliances could save homeowners up to $140 per year.
A: Closing vents to funnel your AC into a specific room is another common misconception. Closing vents in unused rooms can cause costly damage to your air conditioning unit (such as frozen or broken parts). It can also be outright dangerous and pose the risk of carbon monoxide coming into the home, according to Colman Air. Instead, it is best to keep vents and doors open to allow proper circulation.