Keeping Cool in the Summer
/Tips for Efficient Energy Usage in the Summer
As the summer heats up, let’s look at some tips to keep your house cool in the summer while saving a bit of money on your electricity bill.
Close your blinds
Whether you have blinds or curtains, closing the window covering will help keep your house cool. For any windows that receive direct sunlight, try to keep the blinds closed during the hours where the windows receive direct sunlight. If you are closing your blinds to keep out the sun, be sure you are directing them upward to help keep out the most rays.
Adjust your ceiling fan
In the summer, you want to be sure your ceiling fans are running counterclockwise this creates a downdraft which gives you the cooling feeling. Depending on your model of ceiling fan, you can control the direction of spin with a button on the fan, your remote, and some smart ones even have a voice control. All of this said, ceiling fans don’t actually change the temperature of a room. They create a wind effect that helps people to feel cooler and more comfortable.
Avoid using the oven
Try grilling outside during the summer to save on some electricity usage. The oven does more than heat the oven. It also heats up the house and makes your air conditioner work harder.
Seal gaps
Just like in the winter, be sure to check the seals on your doors and windows. You can seal gaps with caulk. Home improvement stores also sell a window sealing tape which will help prevent heat from seeping in around the window. If you can see light around your door, then you may need to replace the weather stripping to help improve the seal.
Wear breathable fabrics
To keep yourself cool, wear breathable fabrics even when inside your home. Loose fitting cotton fabrics are lightweight and will help you be comfortable. If you aren’t using cotton sheets, you may want to consider those as well.
Best AC settings
The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you set your thermostat to 78 during the summer for maximum savings on your electricity bill. While that temperature may not be comfortable for you and your family, you should know that every temperature above 72 can yield you a result of 3% savings on your utility bill. While you are away from home, you can set your thermostat to 5-7 degrees higher than you prefer for when you are home. This will help you see some savings. A smart programmable thermostat will help to recognize your patterns of when you are home and set your thermostat accordingly. You can also manually program your thermostat yourself.
Check your insulation
Be sure your home is properly insulated for optimal protection from the elements. If you don’t have good insulation, you will find your air conditioner working harder in the summer and your heater slaving along in the winter.
Hopefully some of these small changes will save you some money on your electricity bill this summer. If you are looking to do any updates to your home to help it work better for you in the summer, please reach out to our team at Hardwood Specialties. We can help you with projects of all sizes.