The world has recently seen some of the hottest summers ever recorded, which, in addition to being an ecological catastrophe, has severely taxed both our wallets and the electrical grid.
The increased grid demand typically results in higher energy bills for us, the consumers. How can we stay cool while lowering our energy consumption and ultimately our energy bills?
We have some tips that will help you stay cool, save money, and also lessen your carbon footprint:
Inspect the Air Conditioning
For it to run effectively during the years it will be in operation, your air conditioner needs routine maintenance. Poor performance and unnecessarily high energy use are guaranteed when necessary, maintenance is neglected.
Fortunately, you don’t need to be a licensed HVAC professional to quickly inspect your air conditioner to make sure it can function properly.
Regularly vacuum your air vents to get rid of any dust accumulation and make sure that no furniture or other things are obstructing the circulation.
Keep TVs and lighting away from your thermostat. The heat these appliances produce will be detected by the thermostat, which may result in your A/C running longer than necessary.
Switch Out Your Air Filter
One of the simplest and most efficient steps you can do to ensure that your A/C operates smoothly and effectively is to replace your air filter.
Filters that are clogged or unclean obstruct regular circulation and lessen the heat absorption capacity of your air conditioner.
A clean filter can reduce the energy consumption of your air conditioner by up to 15%.
Every month or two, clean or replace the filters of your air conditioning system. If your air conditioner is used frequently, is exposed to a lot of dust, or if you have pets that lose fur, filters require more frequent care.
A filter will be put in the grill of a single-room air conditioner that faces the room. The filter in central air systems is located somewhere along the return duct’s length.
Common sites include radiators, walls, roofs, and air conditioners themselves.
Adjust the Thermostat
The phrase “adjusting the thermostat” conjures up images of frantically clicking the down arrow button on the control panel throughout the summer, especially on very hot days.
Unfortunately, this is what increases your electric bills most effectively.
Try to maintain your thermostat at a range that is just enough to keep you cool and comfortable during the summer, and then raise it a degree.
These temperature changes can be made simple with a smart thermostat.
Wi-Fi-equipped smart thermostats are gadgets that automatically change your home’s temperature for maximum energy savings.
Use LED Light Bulbs
It’s time to convert to LED lights. Incandescent lamps are widely used but they are extremely wasteful.
Only 10 to 15 percent of the electricity they use is converted into light; the remainder is converted into waste heat.
The most energy-efficient type of lighting currently available is LED. They operate far cooler than regular incandescent lights and consume 75% less energy.
Though initially more expensive, they quickly pay for themselves through energy savings.
Keep your Blinds Shut
Shut your blinds during the day to block the sun’s greenhouse effect.
The windows on the southern and western walls receive the most heat, so buy good quality drapes or shades for these windows and keep them closed.
Windows that face north allow in reasonably even, natural light, which results in little glare and nearly no extra heat gain throughout the summer.
These blinds can be left open to let in natural light without warming up your home.
Fans + A/C
It costs significantly less to run a fan than it does to power your air conditioner. In actuality, running a fan continuously for a month will only add roughly $5 to your electricity bill.
Sadly, they don’t actually create chilly air. The air circulation does not alter the temperature; instead, it produces a wind chill effect that makes people feel more comfortable.
However, fans and air conditioning complement one other quite well. If you use air conditioning, installing a ceiling fan will enable you to raise the temperature by around 4°F without sacrificing comfort.
When leaving the house, don’t forget to turn off the fans. The only thing the fans are accomplishing while no one is around to experience the wind chill effect is marginally increasing your energy cost.
Get a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier works well with your air conditioner in hot, humid regions and is an excellent way to reduce humidity in your home.
A dehumidifier reduces energy expenditures because it makes your air conditioner work less. Your air conditioner must cool the air while also removing moisture when the air in your home is overly humid.
An overworked air conditioner will also malfunction more frequently, necessitating time-consuming and costly.
Wash Wisely
Hot water is used in large quantities by dishwashers, laundry dryers, and washing machines and this accounts for 18% of the total energy consumed in a home.
Reduce this by washing your clothes solely in cold water. To prevent overusing the appliances, only wash full loads of dishes and clothing.
Avoid using your dryer at all costs. After washing, instead of using dryers hang wet clothes outside to dry naturally.
Plant Trees
You may have noticed that the moment you enter some shade on a hot sunny day, the temperature changes noticeably.
Now picture how much cooler your home would be during the warmest parts of the day if your house is surrounded by shade.
You can increase the effectiveness of your cooling systems by up to 10% by planting bushes and trees on the southern and western sides of your home, or at the very least, over your outdoor air conditioner.
Unplug Devices
Disconnecting gadgets from their appropriate outlets, when not in use, or using smart power strips could help cut energy expenditures when you decide to leave the house.
Conclusion
Saving energy is a year-round endeavor. Numerous of these suggestions will help you save money all year round.
Your home will stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter with the help of air sealing, insulated drapes, and smart thermostat use.
Making wise energy choices will lower waste, increase efficiency, and lower your annual energy costs.
