Saving Energy in the Summer
It seems we no sooner are done with the high gas bills of winter than it’s time to turn on the air conditioner, and watch the electricity bills soar. Just remember, efficiency is the key to keeping summertime energy bills under control. Following are some guidelines for saving energy in your home this summer.
Natural ventilation. Take advantage of cooler nights by turning off the A/C and throwing the windows open. Opening windows on the windward side of the house allows breezes in, while windows on the leeward side will pull cool air through the home.
Stop heat gain. After sunrise, the home begins to warm up. Close doors, windows and drapes to retain cool air from the night before. You shouldn’t have to turn the A/C on until later in the day.
Install ceiling fans; reverse the blades. If you don’t already have ceiling fans in most of the rooms you spend time in, have them installed. Reverse the blades to run counterclockwise so that conditioned air is better circulated in the home. You can then set your thermostat down several degrees lower than usual by using fans because the room will feel cooler. Turn the fans off when everyone leaves the room.
Install a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat helps you set a money-saving schedule for your A/C and stick to it. Program the thermostat to lower the temperature when the household is up and moving around, but to raise the temperature while people are sleeping or away.
Avoid heating up the house with appliances. Avoid cooking in the heat of the day, Grill outside or cook in the microwave. Heat water in the microwave or in an electric kettle.
Take short showers. Not only will you save water and energy, but you’ll avoid filling the home with humidity, which makes you feel warmer.
At Sobieski Services, our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about saving energy and home comfort issues — especially HVAC and plumbing issues — so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.
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