Summertime is right around the corner, which can mean higher energy costs. With warm weather we blast the air conditioning, have more beach towels to wash… and re-wash, and may also have kids at home on their electronics. Luckily, we can be prepared for this summer weather with a few easy tricks!  

Be Smart with Your Thermostat

Although it may be tempting to keep your house as cool as possible during a hot summer day, it can have a major impact on your energy bill. The lower your temperature, the higher your bill! Try keeping your house temperature at 72 degrees or above. This in between temperature will help you save big on your energy bill!

If you are planning to leave your house for a few days, turn your thermostat up even higher or turn it off all together. This way you can enjoy being away from home without paying to keep it cool!

Use Fans

A great way to cut costs and still stay cool is by using fans. Ceiling fans can cool an entire room, but if your home does not have ceiling fans then portable fans still work great to air out your space. A fan can help you stay cool even while your thermostat is set to a higher temperature. Fans can be very effective and a great way to stay cool this summer while lowering your energy costs!

Beware of the Sun

The sun is one of the drawing points to summer! It is great for tanning, picnics, playing outdoors and for keeping warm. However, letting sunlight into your home will actually heat it up and cause you to run the AC higher. Try closing the blinds and drawing curtains during the peak of the day to keep the interior of your house cool. You can also open your windows at night to allow a nice breeze to blow through. Keeping your windows closed throughout the day will keep the cool air trapped inside your house.

Use LED Light Bulbs

LED light bulbs are a fantastic alternative to traditional light bulbs. Traditional light bulbs waste a great deal of valuable energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED light bulbs last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs and use up to 75 percent less energy. Switching to LED light bulbs will save you money on electricity and you won’t have to replace them nearly as often!  

Barbecue!

Summertime is the perfect time to gather some friends and have a barbecue! Enjoy your backyard and a warm summer evening while keeping your energy costs low. Kitchens are full of heat-producing appliances such as the oven and stove which can raise the temperature in your house. By moving your cooking outdoors, you’ll be able to enjoy great weather while avoiding a rise in temperature indoors.

Wash with Cold or Warm Water

With kids playing in the yard or pool time, your laundry loads are bound to get bigger. Avoid using hot water to wash your clothes as much as possible! Your washing machine uses 90% of its energy to heat the water, so it is more cost efficient to use cold or warm water. Summertime is also the perfect weather for drying your clothes outside. These two changes while doing laundry will help you save electricity!  

There are countless ways to save energy this summer. We hope to have sparked a few ideas for you on how to save big! Another incredible way to save energy is by going solar! We can offer you a free quote so you can see just how much you could save! Visit www.ionsolar.com!

Source: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/spring-and-summer-energy-saving-tips