Cut Down Energy Costs In Summer 2012!

Each summer, homeowners are presented with the challenge of keeping their home cool without breaking the bank. Even if you live in a state that enjoys temperate summers, you’ll probably notice a spike in your energy bill from June to September!

Fortunately, there are some very easy ways you can lower your energy bills this summer. The air conditioner is the obvious way to keep comfortable, but you can take steps to help the AC along. Simply keeping the curtains closed during the day will make a difference by blocking out some of the sunlight. If you’re going to be out for the day (at work or running errands), set the thermostat high enough that the air won’t run while nobody is at home. You can also clean the air conditioner filters each month so the AC will be at its most efficient. Putting fans in each room will make the house feel cooler, too.

Insulation is also important! Find out if your doors and windows are sealing tightly enough to keep the hot air out and the cool air in! If the seals are old, brittle, or cracking, you should consider replacing them. If you want to take it a step further, you can install storm windows for an extra layer of protection against the heat.

If you have a lot of phones in your home, you can cut down on energy use by unplugging your phone chargers. Most of them use energy even if the phone isn’t plugged in. This causes you to pay twice: once for the energy that isn’t being used, and once for the extra heat that these chargers create.

Your appliances are a major contributor to energy bill pain. The clothes dryer is one of the worst heat generators in the entire house – and in the summer, it’s easy to dry your clothes on a line. Cooking meals that don’t require the stove is another way to keep your home frosty cool even when it’s sweltering out.

Enjoy the post? Please share and subscribe so you never miss a post!