As the 2020 summer sets in, we’re sure your air conditioning will be working overtime, and you’re probably concerned about your energy bills. Here are a few summer energy tips to help you keep both your temperature and your electric bills low.
1. Turn your thermostat up
Yes – you read that right! It might feel good to turn your home into a fridge after a long day out in the hot sun, but the lower you set your thermostat, the more it will cost you. Turn your thermostat up as high as is comfortable for you. 78 degrees is usually fine for a moderate room temperature.
2. Use your fans
Stand, box or ceiling fans can help you reduce your energy bills considerably. Fans cool you down using the wind chill effect. You can switch your fans on and then raise the thermostat setting by up to 4 degrees. This reduces the cost of running your HVAC system, which means you save money, as well as reducing wear and tear on your AC. Just be sure to switch your fan off when you leave the room.
3. Do regular HVAC maintenance
Before the summer heatwave comes rolling in, do routine maintenance on your air conditioner. This will keep your system running efficiently, as well as protecting against costly repairs further down the line.
4. Check and repair window and door seals
To keep the cold air in and the warm air out, you need to ensure that all your hatches are battened down properly. Every six months are so, check your windows and doors and make sure that they close properly. This will save you money in the long run, while also helping to maintain the perfect temperature inside the building.
5. Do your laundry with cold or warm water
About 90% of the energy you use when doing a load of laundry with hot water goes to heating the water, so rather go cold. Run a cold or warm cycle on your laundry and then hang your clothes out to dry in the hot sun rather than using the dryer.
6. Reduce your water usage
Water use tends to go up in summer but you can reverse that trend. For starters, water your lawn and garden at dawn or dusk so that the water doesn’t simply evaporate – or hire professionals, such as Gardens Home Management Services, to care for your yard in the most energy-friendly way possible. You can also consider installing low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets to cut your water use substantially.
Gardens Home Management Services offers home maintenance services in Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Boynton Beach. If you’re too busy to carry out these home maintenance tips yourself, you can always call the professionals. Contact us for your home maintenance needs.