June has finally arrived and unfortunately, so have its hot temperatures. With the weather around 90 degrees, it’s hard to avoid inevitably high energy bills. Here are a couple tips on how to save energy while still enjoying a cool, refreshing house.
Don’t over react to the heat
After being in the sun all day, a cool, air-conditioned room is a relief. But, don’t fall in to the common mistake of cranking your thermostat down to cool your house faster. When you turn your thermostat down more than you need, it doesn’t cool your house more quickly. It actually makes the air conditioner run longer which uses more energy and then eventually leads to a costly bill at the end of the month. The closer the thermostat is to the outdoor temperature, the lower your overall energy bill. Set it at a comfortable temperature, turn on a ceiling fan and wait for it to kick in!
Close blinds, windows, shades and drapes
As tempting as it is to open your blinds on a sunny day, be aware sunlight also provides heat. Leaving blinds, shades and drapes open for an extended period of time, can warm your house and can trick your thermostat into running when it really doesn’t need too. During the hottest parts of the day, close your windows and shut your window coverings where the sun shines the most.
Give your appliances a break, when you’re on vacation
Whether you’re leaving the house for a day at the office or packing your bags for a trip to Florida, don’t forget to give your appliances a break too. Raise your thermostat, close your blinds and unplug any unused appliances and devices such as phone chargers, microwaves, toasters, lamps, TV’s and any other appliance you normally plug in. Although they are not being used, they are still using energy and running your bill up!
Fill-up your fridge and freezer
It may be counter-intuitive, but filling up your refrigerator as much as possible will also increase energy savings. If a freezer or fridge is only half full, the air is trapped in the freezer until the door is open. The fuller your fridge, the less energy you’ll waste and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a full fridge anyways?
More importantly…GO OUTSIDE!
Although it may seem as if the heat is unbearable at times, just remember what it was like in January and soak up the sun while it lasts. Turn off your TV, get off your phone and go outside whenever you have a chance. Play baseball, go swimming, have a barbeque. In the Midwest, we know what it is like to have the hottest of summers and the coldest of winters, so take advantage of the warm weather while we have it!
Learn more about how to save energy here
- Energy Saver Guide: Tips on Saving Money and Energy at Home, Energy.gov
- Top 25 Quick & Easy Energy Efficiency Tips, Direct Energy
- 101 Ways to Save Energy, PowerHouse
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