Plan Now To Save Money Later: Summer Energy Tips
Photo: Brian Snelson, Flickr Creative Commons
Spring is in the air, which means summer’s just around the corner. We Main Line residents know that temperatures can climb well into the 90’s and higher, so what are some ways to conserve energy when all we want to do is blast the AC?
Courtesy of your favorite Main Line electrician (that’d be Wes Carver Electric, of course), here are ten techniques you can plan to use now to save money on energy later:
1. 78 degrees: That’s the temperature most experts recommend when it comes to setting your thermostat. It’s not exactly frigid, but cold enough that you should be comfortable without blowing a lot of money.
2. When you’re away: Feel free to program your thermostat to 82 degrees when you’re at work. The home will be hot for a few minutes when you get home, but your energy savings will be significant.
3. Blinds: Keep them closed during the day and open at night. This will keep sunlight from streaming in and heating up your home in the daytime hours, but allow cool night air to help out after sunset.
4. Washer and dryer: Be sure to get your laundry done after the sun’s gone down. Running these machines during the day can combine with the heat of the sun to make your air conditioner work extra hard — and cost you extra money.
5. 120 degrees: This would be the temperature we recommend for your hot water heater. In summer, you probably don’t need such a hot shower in the morning, so capitalize on that!
6. Window or portable AC units: During more mild weeks, you may want to turn off the central air altogether and make use of window or portable AC units. These use up to 50% less energy to cool down small spaces, so if you spend all day in a home office, use one to cool just that space.
7. Shut your vents: The coolest part of most homes is the basement. If your vents are open down there, that precious cool air is leaking out! Make sure they’re shut to force it upwards.
8. Switch up your furniture: Rule of thumb – don’t put a couch in front of the vent. (The couch can’t exactly appreciate the cool air.) Some homeowners try to use plastic contraptions to direct air upwards, but these aren’t that effective. The best thing to do is rearrange the furniture for the season.
9. Check the ducts: A poorly insulated duct system could be releasing cool air into a part of the home you don’t live in, like the attic!
10. Ceiling fans: Using a fan to help circulate cool air means you don’t have to pump so much into the room! Wes Carver is the Main Line electrician with the most sophisticated ceiling fans around — see our blog about ceiling fan installations!
Contact us for all of your electrical needs this summer, like landscape lighting or electrical safety inspections!