Keeping Your Energy Bills Low This Summer

It may be summertime, but just because the temperature is rising doesn’t mean your energy bills have to as well. This blog outlines a few easy steps that can help you control your energy spend during the warmer months.

Home energy audit – a simple first step in controlling your energy spend is to find out how energy efficient your house is and what you can tweak to improve it. A home energy audit can provide value in determining areas to prioritize and address in your home’s energy efficiency. You can hire someone to perform a professional audit or do a DIY assessment with a diligent walk-through of your home.

Protect your home from the sun – consider planting shade trees near your home. The shade will help protect your home from the sun’s rays which can make the temperature feel 10 – 15 degrees cooler. Blinds and window coverings used during the day will also help keep the heat out of the house and keep your cooling system from working so hard.

Use ceiling and ventilation fans – fans create a wind chill effect. Though they cool people and not the air, when used in conjunction with your cooling system, you can raise the thermostat about four degrees with no change in comfort level. Ventilation fans in bathrooms and kitchens can be used to remove heat and humidity. For maximum efficiency, exhaust fans should be vented to the outside and not to the attic.

Program your thermostat – programmable thermostats allow you to keep your home warmer when you’re away and cooler when you’re there without sacrificing comfort. Remember to have your cooling system serviced and filters cleaned or replaced to help keep it running efficiently.

Use energy efficient products and appliances – using energy efficient products, like more efficient lighting, can help control your energy spend and help save you money. Did you know heating water consumes about 18 percent of the energy used in a typical home and that 85 to 90 percent of the electricity consumed by incandescent lights is actually turned into heat, while only 10 to 15 percent results in light?  AEP Energy Reward Store^SM is filled with a variety of energy-saving and connected-home products for your home and is a simple and convenient way for you to shop for items to make your home more energy efficient while saving you time and money.

Practicing energy efficiency habits is an easy way to save on your energy bill year-round, but especially when temperatures are high. For more energy efficiency tips, read our blog.

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