On average, the largest part of your energy bill comes from your home's heating and cooling system. By following these simple summer energy-saving tips, you can keep the temperature, and your budget, well within your comfort zone. Here are a few ways to reduce energy and save money during the summer season:
Change Your Air Conditioner & Furnace Filters
- Dirty filters make your AC system work much harder to provide the cooling for your home! Changing your filter every 1-2 months could improve your systems efficiency up to 10%.
Use a Fan
The air circulated from a ceiling or portable fan typically makes you feel just as comfortable at a temperature 6° warmer, and raising your thermostat 6° can save 10% on your cooling bill.
Use Appliances Strategically
Powering electronic devices can cost you almost as much as powering your kitchen appliances. Half of U.S. homes have 3 or more TVs, 39% have multiple computers, and 44% have 4 or more rechargeable devices. Then there are roughly 160 million set-top boxes, each consuming substantial power, more than a refrigerator in some cases when used with a high-definition digital video recorder. Electronics and appliances account for 30 cents of every dollar you spend on electricity. Appliances have become more efficient, but increased use of electronics has offset those gains, according the Energy Information Administration.