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    SUMMER ENERGY-SAVING TIPS

    SUMMER ENERGY-SAVING TIPS

    MAKE YOUR A/C WORK SMARTER.

    MAKE YOUR A/C WORK SMARTER.

    Optimizing your air conditioner is the best place to start when it comes to being energy efficient — and saving money — in the summer. Here are some ways to get the most from your A/C:

     

    • Make sure your air conditioner is in optimal condition and have it serviced before summer starts. If your unit is old and inefficient, consider replacing it with an ENERGY STAR®-rated air conditioner.
    • Clean your A/C’s air filter and any air vents. Pay extra attention during heavy-use months like June and July. At a minimum, change the filter every three months.
    • Ensure that vents are not blocked by furniture to keep cool air circulating throughout
your home.
    • Use large, heat-producing appliances like your dishwasher, washing machine and dryer at night to avoid running your A/C overtime.
    • Install a smart thermostat and let it learn your habits to make automatic
energy-efficient adjustments.
    • Set your ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise to force cool air down.

    SHIELD THE SUN WITH YOUR BLINDS.

     

    Direct sunlight shining into your home can cause it to heat up quickly. Before you turn your air conditioner on, try closing your curtains and blinds during the day to cool your home.

     

    Direct sunlight shining into your home can cause it to heat up quickly. Before you turn your air conditioner on, try closing your curtains and blinds during the day to cool your home.

    MAXIMIZE YOUR REFRIGERATOR'S EFFICIENCY.

    Refrigerators can use a lot of electricity, but there are several ways to help keep costs down, such as:

    • Keep your refrigerator well-stocked. The fuller a fridge, the less energy it needs to expend to keep cool. The cold items inside the fridge continuously help maintain the cool temperature.
    • Reconsider that second fridge or freezer. You may think it’s convenient or cost-efficient to keep a second one in your basement or garage, but it’s really using additional energy that is probably not necessary.
    • Older refrigerators are much less efficient than newer energy-efficient models. If your current fridge is more than 20 years old, or otherwise on its last legs, consider upgrading to save energy — and money — in the long run.

    INSULATE YOUR HOME.

    Weatherproofing your home will help keep cool air in and heat out in the summer — and vice versa in the winter. Sealing air leaks around windows and doors, adding weather stripping and checking your home insulation will keep you comfortable in an energy and cost-efficient way.

    MINIMIZE PHANTOM POWER.

    MINIMIZE PHANTOM POWER.

    When you leave electronics plugged in but don’t use them, they still use electricity. Known as phantom power, phantom load and vampire power, this standby power consumption typically accounts for 5% - 10% of a home’s electricity bill.

    You can outsmart these vampires by:

     

    • Unplugging electronics not used frequently. (For safety reasons, leave larger appliances plugged in.)
    • Using a power strip to easily turn off and unplug multiple electronics at once.
    • Choosing ENERGY STAR®-rated products, which have lower standby
power consumption.
    • Knowing which devices consume the most electricity when powered off but still plugged in. For example, video game consoles eat up five times more vampire power than DVD and Blu-ray players.