6 Easy Ways to Save Energy This Summer

Now more than ever, we’re all about saving energy and money, and you should be too! As more and more warmer days begin to approach, it’s a good idea to get a sense of what you can do to be financially and energy efficient. Whether it be paying extra attention to how you cook or keeping up with A/C system maintenance, saving energy and money doesn’t have to be so daunting. Keep in mind these few simple tips when it comes to keeping your home cool and comfortable this summer.

1. Plan a Tune-Up for Your A/C

Scheduling a tune-up for your A/C system is strongly recommended because it actually saves you money in the end. Your summer energy bills can be lowered by as much as 10% if you get your system professionally maintained, because it ends up running more efficiently. Even cleaning and replacing your filters can reduce your energy consumption by an additional 5–10%. In general, a tune-up limits the risk of a future breakdown and allows your equipment to live longer.

2. Look out for Drafts

Your money may not be the only thing flying out the window. In order to save up to 20% on your annual energy costs, run your hands around your doors and windows and look out for any drafts. By preventing drafts you not only prevent hot air from entering, but also cool air from escaping.

3. Close Your Curtains

One sneaky way our energy costs like to build up is when we leave our window curtains open on hot, sunny days. Because the sunrays can quickly bump up your room temperature and subsequently cause your A/C to work harder, you may want to consider closing them.

4. Run Your Bathroom Fan While Showering

We recommend putting your bathroom fan to use while you shower, since it removes extra heat and humidity from your home. While we’re on the topic, you can cut your water usage in half by simply switching your showerhead to a low-flow model!

5. Utilize Your Grill

We all know cooking on an outdoor grill is a summer must-do. But did you know it has one extra benefit not many people are aware of? Cooking on an outdoor grill helps lower your energy costs. This is because using your oven to cook adds extra heat to your home, therefore triggering your central or ductless air conditioning system to work even harder.

6. Turn on Your Ceiling Fan

Many people don’t see a reason as to why they should use their ceiling fan and A/C simultaneously. Surprisingly, running both together can increase efficiency and comfort. This is because it raises the temperature on your thermostat by four degrees, causing your A/C to not need to work as hard, while also not impacting your overall comfort. When you leave the room, however, be sure to turn off the ceiling fan to boost energy savings.

Interested in learning more energy-saving tips? Take a look at some of our resources to find out more!