Lowering Summer Energy Bills
'Hot fun in the summertime' ... notice how the song doesn't say, 'Sweltering fun in the summertime'! Seriously, nobody wants to bake inside their own home all summer just 'cause they can't afford the high energy bills that can accompany cranking up the air conditioner. The truth is, though, that you don't have to trade cool comfort for conserving cash. There are things you can do right inside your house this summer that can lower your family's energy usage, and that means lowering your energy bills. Here are some tips on steps that every member of your household can take to keep the energy bills low and the happiness quotient high all summer long.
Close blinds and curtains
Most people spend days outside of the house and evenings and nights at home with their families. If that's the case in your household, one of the simplest actions you can take to help keep the place cool at night is to close curtains, draperies, and blinds during the day. Sure, everybody likes a sunny summer day, but if you're spending your days outside the home, there's no reason to heat up your home during the day and your family at night. And it's not just your family who will thank you. Your air conditioner won't have to work nearly as hard in the evenings to keep the place cool if your curtains are drawn to keep the sun's rays from beating down on your home's interior during the day.
Stop unnecessary energy drains
It's called 'vampire energy,' and it's about as commonplace as vampires on TV and in movies these days! Vampire energy is the energy drain that happens when all those electrical gadgets in your home aren't being used but are still plugged in anyway. There's just no reason to pay for energy that nobody's using. And it's not just a huge drain of energy; it's a drain on your bank account as well. Plugged-in toasters, microwaves, hair dryers, hot rollers, and more ... these are all costing you money this very second, whether they're being used or not. Do yourself, your family, and your bank account a favor; go from one room to the next unplugging all those energy-sucking vampires that are a huge drain on your energy and your cash.
Condition your wallet along with the air
Air conditioning maintenance and repairs are one of the most important things you can do to keep your energy bills low this summer. Chances are good that you're not going to turn off your air conditioner, especially considering how humid summers can get in Summit. So what's the next best thing? The answer is clear. You need to properly maintain your home cooling system to make sure it performs the best it can.
First, check the filters in your air conditioning units to make sure they're clean and free of dust and debris. Dirty filters are one of the easiest ways air conditioning units can get clogged and fail to work properly, and nothing will reduce the life of your air conditioner faster than obstructions that can make it freeze up and stop working. Another thing you can do for your air conditioner, especially if you've got a central air unit that has an outside condenser, is to clear a space around it that's free of leaves and other debris. And always make sure your AC is inspected annually by a professional who will inspect parts, inside and out, for damage and unnatural wear and tear that keep your unit from living out its normal life expectancy. Finally, if your home cooling system is older than your firstborn, it probably needs to be replaced. Seriously, air conditioners have an expected lifespan of about 15-20 years. If your air conditioner's best days are behind it ... and you can tell by how it performs ... it may be time for a new one. If your AC is putting out a musty smell, or it's making a noise you've never heard from it before, chances are it's time to retire it and get a replacement. Today's energy efficient air conditioners can save you money, especially if they have an 'ENERGY STAR' label. These labels tell you the units have been tested against strict energy efficiency guidelines pre-set by the U.S. Department of Energy for high levels of consumer protection and energy efficient performance.
Summer is a time for sipping iced tea, relaxing in balmy breezes, and picnicking with family and friends. It's not a time families should have to choose between sweating in their homes or sweating over high energy bills. Do a room-by-room check of your home and encourage all the members of your household to make just a few simple adjustments that will make your home ... and your wallet ... happy all summer long.
Close blinds and curtains
Most people spend days outside of the house and evenings and nights at home with their families. If that's the case in your household, one of the simplest actions you can take to help keep the place cool at night is to close curtains, draperies, and blinds during the day. Sure, everybody likes a sunny summer day, but if you're spending your days outside the home, there's no reason to heat up your home during the day and your family at night. And it's not just your family who will thank you. Your air conditioner won't have to work nearly as hard in the evenings to keep the place cool if your curtains are drawn to keep the sun's rays from beating down on your home's interior during the day.
Stop unnecessary energy drains
It's called 'vampire energy,' and it's about as commonplace as vampires on TV and in movies these days! Vampire energy is the energy drain that happens when all those electrical gadgets in your home aren't being used but are still plugged in anyway. There's just no reason to pay for energy that nobody's using. And it's not just a huge drain of energy; it's a drain on your bank account as well. Plugged-in toasters, microwaves, hair dryers, hot rollers, and more ... these are all costing you money this very second, whether they're being used or not. Do yourself, your family, and your bank account a favor; go from one room to the next unplugging all those energy-sucking vampires that are a huge drain on your energy and your cash.
Condition your wallet along with the air
Air conditioning maintenance and repairs are one of the most important things you can do to keep your energy bills low this summer. Chances are good that you're not going to turn off your air conditioner, especially considering how humid summers can get in Summit. So what's the next best thing? The answer is clear. You need to properly maintain your home cooling system to make sure it performs the best it can.
First, check the filters in your air conditioning units to make sure they're clean and free of dust and debris. Dirty filters are one of the easiest ways air conditioning units can get clogged and fail to work properly, and nothing will reduce the life of your air conditioner faster than obstructions that can make it freeze up and stop working. Another thing you can do for your air conditioner, especially if you've got a central air unit that has an outside condenser, is to clear a space around it that's free of leaves and other debris. And always make sure your AC is inspected annually by a professional who will inspect parts, inside and out, for damage and unnatural wear and tear that keep your unit from living out its normal life expectancy. Finally, if your home cooling system is older than your firstborn, it probably needs to be replaced. Seriously, air conditioners have an expected lifespan of about 15-20 years. If your air conditioner's best days are behind it ... and you can tell by how it performs ... it may be time for a new one. If your AC is putting out a musty smell, or it's making a noise you've never heard from it before, chances are it's time to retire it and get a replacement. Today's energy efficient air conditioners can save you money, especially if they have an 'ENERGY STAR' label. These labels tell you the units have been tested against strict energy efficiency guidelines pre-set by the U.S. Department of Energy for high levels of consumer protection and energy efficient performance.
Summer is a time for sipping iced tea, relaxing in balmy breezes, and picnicking with family and friends. It's not a time families should have to choose between sweating in their homes or sweating over high energy bills. Do a room-by-room check of your home and encourage all the members of your household to make just a few simple adjustments that will make your home ... and your wallet ... happy all summer long.