Summer Energy Saving Tips

Summer is officially here, and with it comes the sweltering heat and more expensive power bill. Summer in Charlotte means an influx in the AC which means higher bills. Here are some quick and easy tips to lower your power bill by saving energy.

·         Turn up the thermostat- I know it sounds crazy but if you set your temperature to 78 when home and 85 when you leave it will save you about 1-3 percent per degree, for each degree the thermostat is above 72.

·         Use fans- Ceiling fans and box fans can be used when you leave the house to keep the air circulation and cool.

·         Use a water filter- with the temperatures above 90 it is important to stay hydrated, it’s also important to save money. By buying a water filter you can save about $750 a year by buying less bottled water. Pur Water filters are my favorite, but Britta works just as well.

·         Replace air conditioner filters- dirty filters restrict airflow and can cause the system to run longer, increasing energy use. If you replace filters monthly it saves about 1-2% on power.

·         Use Energy Star products- lights and fixtures that will help control energy and save you money.

·         Take shorter showers- I know what it’s like to feel gross after being outside in hot weather, and needing to get in the shower, but shorter showers will save on water and reduce the bill. By taking a 5 minute shower, you’ll use 1/3 less of the amount of hot water then you would a bath or longer shower.

·         Unplug electronics when not in use- Keeping things plugged in sucks energy, and makes the bill higher for things that you are not using. By unplugging small appliance and TVs you can reduce your power bill.

·         Do full loads of laundry and dishes- Make sure you are not wasting water and energy only washing a few things; also you can save by hanging clothes outside to dry. Same goes for dish washing.

·         Turn down water heater- Water heating can account for 14%-25% of the energy consumed in your home, so by turning down the temperature you can save money.

·         Limit the amount of cooking- Using the oven increases the overall temperature of the house or apartment, so by using the stove top, microwave, or grill you can save on ac energy.