Are your electric bills impacting you? Take a look at our top 10 tips for dealing with this problem and you’ll be one step closer to reducing bills this summer.
1. Check your ducts for leaks. Duct leaks cause 20 to 40 percent energy loss as they vent conditioned air into unconditioned spaces resulting in improper air distribution. An effective way to check all ducts is to check the duct pressure using a duct air blast test. Leaky ducts can be repaired with a special metal backing tape available for that purpose.
2. Reduce cooling costs by buying a programmable thermostat and turn it down three degrees at night. Set it to 80 degrees when you are at home and 90 degrees when you are away to lower your energy bills.
3. Provide natural shade for all windows, especially those facing west, by using blinds, shade cloth awnings, or by designing your yard so that the windows are blocked by trees, large shrubs, or trellises.
4. During the summer, hang clothes to dry. You will save a lot of energy that your dryer consumes and you will find your clothes feeling fresh and dry. If you must use the dryer, set it to automatic dry instead of programming a timed cycle.
5. Use CFLs as much as possible throughout your home. Compact fluorescent bulbs are the best way to lower your electricity bills. Replace incandescent and other bulbs with these whenever practical. Install dimmers and timers whenever possible.
6. Use cold or lukewarm water to wash clothes, except for dirty and heavily soiled clothes that need hot water. Always use cold water to rinse clothes.
7. An empty refrigerator increases electricity bills. Keep it full as the dough of all the cooled contents helps keep the temperature cool. Take care that the refrigerator has plenty of room to breathe and clean its coils regularly.
8. Use fans in your home. Fans help circulate air and keep your home cool. Your air conditioner has to work much less if it is accompanied by a ceiling fan.
9. Paint the exterior of your house in white or light colors. If you have a flat roof, paint the deck white as well. It will help reflect most of the sun’s rays and keep the walls from getting too hot. If you have sloping roofs, install light-colored shingles the next time you make changes.
10. Insulate to stop heat transfer. Install insulation in walls, crawl spaces like attics, basements, etc. Insulating the ceiling is very cost effective and stops the flow of heat from the attic into the living room and other rooms. If you already have insulation, upgrade to a level of R-38 which is recommended.