The Energy Department estimates that half of a household's overall energy usage goes toward heating and cooling costs. With the soaring temperatures, this summer could get pricey with rising energy costs. The good news is there are some easy ways to cut your cooling costs and keep your air conditioning running. Keep cool this summer and save energy costs by following these simple tips around the house:
- Close the Shades - This will help keep your air conditioning unit maintain cooler temperatures. Sunny windows account for 40% of unwanted heat and can make your air conditioner work two to three times harder.
- Clean the Filters- Clean and replace filters every month! This allows the system to run more efficiently.
- Unplug- Unplug your electronics when not in use so they don’t suck power out of outlets. Also note, that running an older refrigerator can use up to three times the energy of a modern one. Unplug any appliance when it's not in use.
- Turn off lights. Turn lights off when exiting a room because they add to the heat in the home. Also consider replacing incandescent bulbs with energy efficient compact florescent lights (CFLs).
- Turn off the Oven- Use an outdoor grill or the stove instead of the oven during the warmer months. Turning on the oven heats up the rest of the house, which forces your air conditioner to go into overdrive. Even better is cooking in your microwave; it uses two-thirds less energy than your stove.
- Program the Thermostat- Using a programmable thermostat can lead to annual savings of about 30%. Set the temperature higher for the hours you will be away from your home to reap the benefits. 78 degrees or higher is the recommended temperature to maximize on savings.
- Install Ceiling Fans- The use of ceiling fans can mean savings of around 25% on cooling costs and can make the temperature seem 10 degrees cooler. Most fans have a switch to change the fan direction. Make sure ceiling fans are blowing downward (in a counter-clockwise direction) to send air past your body.
- Adjust the Water Heater- Cooler showers in the summertime will let you turn down the temperature setting for a few months. This will reduce energy costs and can save more than $50 a year.
- Yearly Check Up- Have your air conditioning unit serviced once a year to make sure it is running efficiently.
- Plug Duct System Leaks- As much as 20 percent of the air moving through your home’s duct system is lost due to leaks and poor connections. Seal duct work using mastic sealant or metal tape and insulate all the ducts that you can access.
- Clean the dryer lint filter and check the outdoor vent opening- When lint slows the airflow, the dryer runs longer. When the vent is clogged, the clothes get a long and costly tumbling.
- Plant shade trees- Outside shade can reduce air conditioning costs 30%. Shade on the east and west is most important.