Lower Bill Costs
In the Macon area, we are no strangers to excessive summer heat. As we enter one of the hottest times of the year, July, energy bills can rise with the thermometer. Keeping your home cool is important for the comfort and safety of your family and pets, but keeping your home cool at this time of year can also take a toll on your pocketbook. Check out these six great ways to cut down on energy costs this summer in your home!
1. Proper Maintenance of Your A/C System
Make sure your A/C system is properly maintained. Filters should be changed regularly, and you should have an HVAC tech take a look at your system at least once a year. Having maintenance performed in a timely fashion will save you countless dollars in energy savings. An A/C system that isn’t running properly is guaranteed to cost you on your utility bill.
2. Use a Ceiling Fan
A ceiling fan is your best friend during the hot summer months. When you combine the use of a ceiling fan with your A/C usage, you will have great results. Ceiling fans only consume the equivalent energy of a 100-watt light bulb in an hour’s time. They make your room feel a good 8 degrees cooler though. They are a wise choice for energy savings during hot months.
3. Employ Curtains and Shades
Although the summer sun is beautiful to behold, putting up drapes, curtains, blinds or shades over your windows during the hottest parts of the day will save you a lot on your energy bill. If you want to enjoy sunlight in your house, try to at least cover the windows exposed the most to the sun in the afternoons.
4. Close off spare rooms
If you have a large home and you have rooms that are unused, close the doors and all the A/C vents in those rooms. There is no need to cool spare rooms that are going unused. You can always open them up and cool them out before the company arrives.
5. Change the Thermostat
One of the easiest and most straightforward ways to cut your energy costs is to change the thermostat to a warmer temperature. Keeping your home at 75 instead of 70 can save you a lot of money per month on your utility bill. Consider setting your thermostat to a higher number while you are out of the house (i.e. at work). However, do not completely turn off your A/C while you are gone. Re-cooling your home from scratch will undo the savings of having your A/C off while you were gone. If you have a hard time remembering to adjust the thermostat, think about investing in a “smart” thermostat. There is a myriad of thermostats available nowadays that automatically adjust according to your needs, or can be pre-programmed for certain times of the day.
6. Use Your “Hot” Appliances at Night
If you need to bake a cake or dry the laundry, try to save these activities for the coolest parts of the day, like nighttime. These appliances add a lot of heat to your home and cause your A/C system to work even harder.
Remember, though July’s temperatures in Macon easily reach into the 90s every day, these six great ways can help you cut down on your energy costs this summer.
