As the spring season approaches, have you started wondering what the unusually warm winter weather could mean for this coming summer?
Don’t worry, there’s no need to fret. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), El Niño, the main culprit for the warm winter, is unlikely to have a huge impact on summer temperatures for most parts of the country.
However, this does not mean a “normal” summer is a sure thing. In fact, the coming summer might even challenge records set in 1936 and 2021, although the El Niño itself is waning.
Either way, it would be a smart thing to do to get yourself prepared for the summer months ahead rather than leaving it up to chance. In this blog, we’ll be focusing on summer energy saving tips that can help you and your wallet survive the heat.
Be smart with your air conditioner
The air conditioner (AC unit) is no doubt one of the must-have household appliances during summer, keeping you and all family members cool and comfortable. Yet, it can also significantly bump up your summer energy bills.
Electricity usage varies depending on the number of AC units installed, temperate settings and other factors. On average, a home air conditioner can use about 3,000 watts of electricity an hour. By multiplying the wattage by the number of hours, you will have a rough idea of your daily energy costs.
If you find the number staggering, below are some ways that you may consider to reduce energy usage:
Give the air conditioning system a check-up before summer
A dirty filter is not only bad for your health, but can also restrict airflow, forcing the cooling system to work harder and consume more energy. Clean or replace the air filter allows the air conditioning to function efficiently.
Similarly, check if the outdoor condenser unit is covered or surrounded by debris and leaves, as this can impact normal airflow. This simple step can improve efficiency and reduce the amount of energy consumed.
If you not a hands-on type or don’t feel comfortable performing maintenance tasks yourself, consider scheduling a professional maintenance service for your air conditioning. A skilled technician can inspect and clean critical components, ensuring it operates efficiently and identifying any potential issues.
Use air conditioning in conjunction with a ceiling fan.
Using ceiling fans alongside your air conditioning can help distribute cool air more efficiently inside the room, allowing you to raise your thermostat a few degrees and achieve energy savings.
By doing so, remember to set your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise. This can create a downward airflow that helps lower the room temperature by inducing a wind chill effect.
Use air conditioning only when necessary.
You may not need the AC to work continuously throughout the entire summer. By keeping an eye on the temperature, you can keep your home cool and manage energy use efficiently.
Take advantage of cooler evenings or early mornings by opening a few windows and letting fresh air circulate through your room. Alternatively, use a ceiling fan when the room temperature is relatively low. Compared to an AC, a fan uses around 5-9 times less electricity. Another option is to consider using the “fan only” mode of your AC, which consume less energy while still providing some airflow.
Install a programmable thermostat.
A smart thermostat allows you to create temperature schedules based on your daily routine. For example, setting it to automatically adjust the temperature can reduce energy use when you’re away or asleep. You may also customize your thermostat setting for different areas of your home or for specific times of the day, maximizing energy savings.
Consider thorough home insulation
You may not be aware of how cracks and openings can impact your electricity bills. These unnoticeable gaps around doors and windows allow outside hot air to enter your home and cool air inside to escape. Such air leakage requires your heating and cooling systems to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, leading to higher electricity bills.
Using caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around door and window frames is a cheap but effective way to reduce air leakage. Another simple way is to use blinds or blackout curtains. Close blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day will help keep the unwanted heat out.
Lower your water heating costs
You’d be surprised how much your water heater costs you. According to the Department of Energy, water heating accounts for around 20% of the energy consumed in a household in 2022.
Although hot water usage may not as high as in winter, adjust your water heater settings can be beneficial during the summer months. Consider lowering the temperature on your water heater to 120°F, and minimize hot water consumption to conserve energy.
Use cold water for laundry and dishwashing whenever possible. Most laundry detergents and dishwashing detergents are designed to work effectively with cold water, and this can lower electric bills by eliminating the need to heat water.
Dry your laundry with natural sunlight
If you can hang up laundry outside, leverage the summer heat and breeze to dry your clothes. A clothes dryer consumes a significant amount of electricity, so opting for direct sunlight can result in noticeable savings in electric bills.
In addition, hanging your laundry under the summer sun can give your clothes a natural and pleasant smell. This can be especially beneficial for items like bedsheets and towels. But do remember to check the weather forecast before hanging them outside.
Use electricity during off-peak hours
Using electricity during off-peak hours is another smart strategy to reduce energy costs. Many utility companies offer time-of-use pricing plans, where electricity rates vary based on the time of day. Electricity rates during off-peak hours typically are lower compared to peak hours.
Thus, by shifting your energy usage to off-peak hours, you can take advantage of these lower rates and save your energy costs. Check the pricing plans offered by your energy provider to find out the suitable way to save energy.
Take advantage of government assistance programs
Aside from making every effort to save energy during the summer months, there are some government assistance programs designed to alleviate your financial burdens.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP provides payment assistance to eligible low income households to ensure their access to uninterrupted energy services. The program can help with home electric bills, energy crises or projects aiming to improve energy efficiency. Eligibility requirements for the benefit include income, household size, available resources and responsibility for payment.
The application period for the program opens during specific months. To find out more details about the benefit, contact your state or tribal LIHEAP office.
If you or one of your family members has a life threatening medical condition, you may apply for life-threatening Energy Crisis Assistance Program (ECAP) assistance year round. It is evaluated case by case based on required supporting documents such as a note from a licensed health care professional.
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Lifeline Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the Lifeline Program
Alternatively, you can consider reducing other types of living costs to allocate more funds to energy consumption during summer. For example, you can save a significant amount on communications costs by applying the ACP or Lifeline benefits. These two programs provide discounted mobile and internet services to eligible low income individuals and families.
If you qualify for the ACP or Lifeline or both, you can enjoy extra benefits by signing up directly with providers such as EASY Wireless. Residents living in specific states may even score a FREE smartphone! Here’s what the EASY Wireless Unlimited Plan includes:
FREE Unlimited Data
FREE Unlimited Talk
FREE Unlimited Text
FREE SIM Card Kit and Activation
Choose to Keep Your Number or Get a New One
Visit one of the EASY Wireless’s retail stores, or simply get started by clicking the below:
Start Saving Today!
