As summer begins, and temperatures rise, many of us have begun cranking up the AC to keep cool, and we’ve got the bills to prove it. Air conditioning units statistically end up costing homeowners about $11 billion dollars a year, collectively. The environmental impact associated with our summertime comfort, is just as shocking, as these same air conditioning units also end up pumping 100 million tons of carbon dioxide into the air annually.
Although seemingly necessary for mere survival in the warmer months of the year, AC units are both costly to the environment, and to your wallet. Fortunately, by following a couple of simple, low cost tips, you’ll be able to make your home more energy efficient, while providing relief to your wallet as well.
Make the most of your windows and coverings
Draughty, single pane windows are a huge source of energy loss in a home throughout the year. If replacing the windows is within your remodeling budget, double glazed windows are the way to go, as the sealed air gap between the two panes acts as an added layer of insulation.
For those of us with thin wallets and landlord woes, changing the windows isn’t always an option, which is where quality blinds and curtains become a necessity. Many kinds of window coverings are made to feature an outer aluminum foil that reflects excessive heat back out of your room in the summer, while retaining heat during the winter months, and are effective at blocking up to 80% of solar heat, helping you save money all year round.
Your biggest fan
Whether you’re sporting ceiling fans, or the ever-so-lovely college dorm white box fan, fans are a great, cheap alternative for cooling your home. Running fans helps to not only circulate air in your home, but it also allows you to set your thermostat at a higher temperature, saving energy and a buck or two, without sacrificing your own comfort.
Ditch the excess heat
Appliances have the potential to add to your electricity bill each month, and they can also cause a spike in the temperature of your home, if not utilized at certain times of day.
- Activities like ironing and doing laundry can cause an unnecessary spike in temperature, so be sure to save these activities for the cooler parts of the day.
- Avoid the oven at all costs, especially during peak temperatures. Toaster ovens, microwaves, and grills are a great alternative for cooking, as they use ⅔rds less energy than stoves, not to mention they don’t heat up a room like a conventional oven does.
- Unplug computers and appliances when not in use. In addition to generating heat, having appliances plugged in adds additional charges to your power bill each month.
Incandescent bulbs generate more heat than light, so replacing your bulbs with fluorescent bulbs will save you money in the long run.
