Replacing your air filter is not the only way to lower your electric bill. Keep reading for save on electricity: how to lower your electricity bill this summer.
With summer quickly approaching, you’re most likely looking for ways to save on your electricity bill.
To save on electricity, you need to be aware of how much you’re using throughout the day and what use is necessary vs unnecessary. I
t’s not difficult to rack up a high electric bill in the summer.
On top of all your other uses of electricity in your home, you’re also using the air conditioning more to help keep your home cooled off.
You know that replacing your air filter will keep your HVAC unit running smoothly, using less energy, but what are some other ways you can lower your electric bill over the summer months?
Continue reading below for our guide on how to save on electricity and keep that bill as low as possible!
Check for Leaks
How often do you take a few moments to walk around your house checking for leaks? I don’t mean leaks from your faucets either. I’m talking about air leaks from your windows and doors.
Do your windows and doors have any cracks or openings? Are there broken seals? All of these issues can result in lost cold air.
When cold air escapes through your windows and doors, your HVAC unit must work harder to keep your home cool, resulting in a higher electricity bill.
Depending on what your electricity rates are for your area, these leaks could really spike up your bill.
Replace any broken seals on your doors and windows. Install weather stripping and caulking to prevent air from escaping and save on your energy bill.
Install Proper Insulation
Proper insulation will make cooling down your home much easier for your HVAC unit during the summer months. The more insulation your home has, the better. Be sure to add extra insulation where possible.
This will help maintain the inside temperature of your home. Check your walls and have more insulation installed, which will ultimately lead to a lower electric bill.
Purchase a Smart Thermostat
You most likely have a few smart home devices already in your home, but do you have a smart thermostat?
A smart thermostat will help regulate the temperature inside your home even when you’re away.
You can set and program temperatures for different times of the day. Then, you won’t have to worry about manually setting the temperature yourself.
Think about all of those times when you left your home and forgot to turn the air down.
Your HVAC unit is left to work hard to keep your home cool when no one is there to enjoy it.
Instead, use a smart thermostat that’ll automatically set the right temperature for you, helping you lower your bill.
Clean Your AC Vents and Ducts
Without proper cleaning, your AC vents and ducts can become backed up with dirt, dust, and other debris.
If your HVAC unit isn’t well maintained and cleaned properly, then it won’t run as efficiently.
Have your entire HVAC unit maintained by a professional service to ensure everything is working as it should.
The filters, fins, coils, and vents should all be cleaned regularly.
Use Curtains to Block the Sun
When the summer months creep up on you, so does the sun. The sun’s intense summer rays will find their way into your home.
Without curtains, the inside of your home can become hot quite quickly.
Blinds are a good starting point and help to an extent, but they won’t help keep out all of the heat.
Regular curtains and blackout curtains are both a great way to keep the hot sun’s rays out of your home.
I understand if you don’t want curtains blocking all of your natural sunlight into your home, but they’ll help lower your energy bill.
You can keep one curtain open and the other one closed during the day to get some sunlight but not as much heat.
When you leave your house during the day, you can close them and prevent all sunlight from entering your home when you’re not there.
These curtains also work great in the summer morning hours.
They’ll keep your bedroom cool and dark until you’re ready to get up for the day.
Place AC Temperature Up When Not Home
Another way to save when you’re not home is to turn the AC temperature up before leaving.
If you’re not going to be home to enjoy the cool air, then why have your HVAC unit working so hard to keep it cooled down?
You might hear some people suggesting to turn the AC off completely when you’re not home, but this should only be done if you’re going to be away for an extended period of time.
Otherwise, simply turn the air up to a higher temperature so the unit doesn’t have to work as hard.
If you turn the entire system off for a few hours and then come home and crank it to a low setting, then it’ll have to work overtime to bring the temperature back down for you.
You Can Save on Electricity This Summer
If you think you can’t save on electricity this summer, then think again. You can save by following these tips listed above.
Try a few out or try them all out for optimal energy savings!
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