No one enjoys getting their electric bill in the mail, especially in the summer. When the temperatures heat up, so do the final numbers on your statement. The hot temperatures don’t just require you to run your AC more often, but also they force your system to run harder.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could save money on your electric bill without having to make any sacrifices? Well, you can. And for once, we’re not going to tell you silly stuff like raising the temp on your thermostat (that just makes the home uncomfortable).
- Install Window Film: Window film can be easily applied to the inside of your windows to significantly reduce solar heat gain. Plus, you get the added benefit of blocking 99% of UV rays and eliminating uncomfortable hot spots around the windows.
- Keep the Vents Open: Closing off the vents will actually cause your central AC system to work harder, resulting in a higher energy bill. Go through the home and make sure that all vents are clear, open and clean.
- Use Your Ceiling Fans: If you have ceiling fans installed in your rooms, don’t let them go to waste. They’re there for a reason. Run them counterclockwise in the summer to push cool air down to the floor.
- Reduce Heat: Luckily window film reduces heat gain around the windows, but there are other ways that heat can toast up the home. Use appliances smartly, such as by washing most clothes in cold water, running the dryer at night (and using dryer balls) and packing your dishwasher efficiently.
- Watch for Vampire Electronics: Vampire electronics suck energy even though they aren’t being used. In fact, they can account for 4% to 5% of the energy usage in the home. Unplug unused electronics, and if you don’t want to do it by hand every night, opt for a central power switch that plugs into the socket.
- Add Some Shade: If your home isn’t well shaded, it will be hotter during the day because there’s nothing to block the sun. Imagine how different your home will feel if it’s shaded by trees in the afternoon and has window film? Maybe now is the time to plant a few shade trees you’ve been wanting. They certainly won’t go to waste in our climate!
- Get an Energy Audit: An energy audit tells you how much energy you’re using and what changes you can make to lower your consumption. If you get an audit done and find that much of your cold air is lost through the windows, you’ll know that investing in solar window film will offer significant savings.
