We all look forward to the summer months for relaxing by the pool and the enjoying the warm night time air, but the summer months in St. Louis can be brutal on your energy bill. We compiled a list of the top 10 tips to save energy and money this summer.
- Try grilling. One of the best parts of summer is BBQ’s and grilling meals in the backyard. Not only is it delicious, but saves you from using your oven. Using your oven adds more heat to the interiors and requires your air conditioner to work longer and harder.
- Install energy efficient light bulbs. If you haven’t already, switch out your incandescent bulbs to more efficient compact fluorescent bulbs to use less energy and save you cash. They last longer and need to be replaced less often than traditional incandescent bulbs.
- Replace your outdated air conditioning unit. If your air conditioning unit is over 20 years old, it may be time to purchase a new energy efficient unit. Check out units that cost less to run and have approved energy program standards. Also, have your unit serviced annually and replace filters monthly or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Ensure air conditioning pipes are sealed. If the pipes are not completely sealed, you could be losing cooled air into the attic or out of the house.
- Plug any leaks. Update weather-strips and seal or caulk leaky doors and windows to prevent any air conditioning leaking out or hot air seeping in.
- Spend time outside your home. You don’t need any excuse to get out of the house this time of year, get out and enjoy it! When not at home, set your air conditioning unit up a few degrees or better yet install a programmable thermostat. You save 1-3 percent per degree for each degree the thermostat is set above 72 degrees. Some sources say as high as 85 degrees when you are not home, but we don’t recommend that in St. Louis. Just remember not to set it up so high to allow the heat and humidity to establish itself in the house, which will make the air conditioner work even harder to get you comfortable again.
- Use your appliances wisely. Use your appliances during the coolest times of the day, first thing in the morning or after the sun sets. Avoid running appliance during peak hours, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Conserve energy by running your dishwasher only when it is full and air dry dishes. Surprisingly, dishwashers use less water than washing dishes by hand! Turn off appliances, unplug electronic devices and turn off lights when not in use.
- Keep the sun out. When leaving your home or during the hottest times of the day, pull your window treatments closed. This will keep the interior feeling cooler and your air conditioning unit won’t work as hard. Well-placed landscaping, covered patios and window awnings can help, as well.
- Lower your water heating costs. Take cooler and shorter showers. You can also try turning down the temperature to 120 degrees.
- Install double-pane windows with a thermal break and low-e glass. These windows can cut down the energy cost of heating and cooling a home by providing an extra layer of insulation, preventing temperature transfer through the glass and reflecting heat out in the summer and back in during the winter. You can save up to 15 percent on your energy bills.*
By following these easy steps you will be able to enjoy the summer months while saving money on your energy bill. Have any other energy saving tips? Leave them in the comments below!
*Dependent on the conditions of the rest of your home.
