The temperatures have definitely been hot this summer. If you have noticed a rise in your energy costs, read on for 10 simple ways to save energy and money the remainder of this summer.
- Set your air conditioner thermostat as high as comfortable—recommendations is generally 78 degrees or higher when you're at home, and 85 degrees when you're gone. Keep inside air vents clear from furniture and other objects.
- Have your central air conditioner tuned up and clean, or replace air filters monthly for more efficient operation.
- Minimize indoor heat: run the dryer and dishwasher at night on hot days and let your dishes air dry whenever possible. Avoid heat-generating incandescent lighting and use a microwave, toaster oven or outdoor grill instead of the oven. It's best to avoid the use of major appliances between 2 and 8 p.m.
- Set your water heater to 120 degrees F.
- Keep the blinds and windows closed during the day and open at night. This is a no-cost way to keep your home a little cooler.
- Window, ceiling and whole-house fans are also low-cost ways to stay comfortable.
- Wash clothes in cold water and clean the lint filter in the dryer after every use.
- Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use. Plug home electronics, such as TVs, routers, and computers into power strips and turn off the power strips when the equipment is not in use.
- Eliminate, or deactivate, extra freezers or refrigerators if you can, especially if they spend the summer outdoors or in a garage. Free refrigerator recycling may be available near you. Check here.
- If you have a pool: consider slowly reducing pool filtration time by 30 minute increments daily. Keep on reducing the time as long as the water appears clean. You may find you only need to run your pool filter six to eight hours per day. Install a timer to control the length of time that the pool pump cycles on.
A big "thank you" to pacificpower.net for these awesome energy-saving tips!