Most of us look forward to the summer. There are definitely more things to do outside. On the downside, it’s not fun when we receive those super high energy bills. Here are a few tips to help you enjoy the summer, while cutting down on the amount of energy you use.
- Stop using your oven. Instead of using your oven everyday, consider using your microwave or grilling outside this summer.
- Upgrade your thermostat. If you are still using a manual thermostat to adjust the air conditioning in your home, consider replacing with an automatic one that can be programmed to keep your home warmer when you are not home.
- Close your shades. When leaving your home, or in times of the day when the sun is at its hottest, pull your window treatments closed to block out warm rays. Start fanning. Using a ceiling fan to move air around in your home instead of air conditioning can give a much needed break to your air conditioning, and save you money.
- Cut your shower time. When taking a shower in your home, turn down the temperature of the hot water to save energy. Decrease the duration of how long you stay in the shower to save on your hot water tank usage.
- Install energy efficient light bulbs. Change out your current incandescent bulbs to more efficient ones, for example: compact fluorescent bulbs use less energy to use as well as emit a brighter light.