Now that the summer is here, it is also a time to think about ways of saving energy. Even though summer can be an unbearable time in terms of comfort, there are things we can do to take care of ourselves and be comfortable, like turning on the air conditioner. Believe it or not, when it is hot, the way to cool down your body is to actually drink something hot, not cold! But the cold beer is just too good to pass up!
Air conditioners use a lot of energy, but sometimes, you just have no choice. Certain days are unbearable; then there are also the elderly and pets to consider (dogs can’t take the heat). So how do we save energy this summer? Let’s take a closer look with these tips.
1. The Peak Hours
Did you know that energy actually costs more during certain hours? This period is around 11 in the morning to 5 in the evening. These are considered the peak hours. For most people, this may not be a problem, since most people are in school or at work. However, this does not apply to everyone. If someone is at home and if it is really hot, they can try to close the shades or curtains. You can turn the air conditioner on for a while, then use a fan to circulate the cool air. The air conditioner is most likely the biggest energy user, so turn it off when you feel comfortable.
2. Adjusting The Thermostat
One thing you can do is to adjust the thermostat if you are not going to use the room. If you are leaving for the day, you can adjust the thermostat at regular room temperature. Then later on, when you get back, you can adjust it again so that you remain comfortable. If you have one of those programmable ones, then you can program it so that it will adjust the temperature just before you get back. This way, you will always remain comfortable, especially on a hot and muggy day.
3. Maintain Your Air Conditioner
You should make sure to maintain your air conditioner so that it runs perfectly. Build up of dirt and dust will make it work harder and as a result, it will take longer for the house to get nice and cool. It helps if the air filters are clean. If you don’t know how to do a little maintenance, you can always call in the air conditioning repair professionals so that any small issues will be dealt with before it becomes a bigger problem.
4. Improve Insulation
Windows and doors aren’t really great when it comes to insulation. If you can take care of these issues by having them treated, then it will be easier to cool in the summer and it can also help with heat during the winter.
You can also do other things to save energy and bring down your bill. For example, instead of using the drier, hang the clothes out to dry. Also, as mentioned earlier, there are peak hours where it is more expensive, so try to run dishwashers and other things later on. Every little bit helps to cut down costs.