Summer Electricity Bills Eating Up Your Savings?

Now that summertime is here, especially if you live in an area that gets very hot during the months of June – September, you are probably dreading that inevitable increase in your electricity bill. For some homeowners, electrical bills can double, if not triple, during the summer months. This can be especially frustrating when trying to maintain a budget.

Leverage these tips to save on your electricity bill while still keeping your home cool and comfortable.

1. You can maximize the cooling of your air conditioning system by adding fans strategically throughout your home. In fact, energy.gov has indicated that using a ceiling fan can lower the temperature by four degrees. Your ceiling fan requires far less power to operate than your air conditioning system.

2. By closing the blinds in rooms that are not in use, you can keep the sun’s light out. When the sun shines in, it warms various surfaces in your home, which ultimately warms the house. Closing your blinds can also be beneficial during the winter, as heat is lost through the windows on cold evenings.

3. Save energy by turning off lights when they are not in use. Consider installing motion detecting light timers in key rooms such as bathrooms, kitchen, and main living area. If you use incandescent light bulbs, make sure they are turned off whenever not in use as 90% of the energy these bulbs use is given off as heat. Turning off these lights in the summer will help to keep your rooms cooler.

4. Switch to Energy Star appliances. Doing so can save you 15% or more in energy use of those appliances. To learn more, go to energystar.gov.

5. Wear comfortable clothing – This might sound like a no-brainer, but when you dress for the weather, you will be more comfortable. By dressing in light, moisture-wicking clothing in the summer, you’ll be far less likely to head to the thermostat to tick that temperature down.

If you try any two of these tips you can see a difference in your monthly electric bill, so you can save money along with helping the environment.