A report by the Environmental Protection Agency indicated that heatwaves are happening more in US cities. In the last five years, America has recorded at least six major heat waves which caused havoc to lives, pets, and the electrical grid. The report also stated that urban areas bear the brunt more due to several high-rise buildings. 2021 recorded the worst heatwave in North America, but it is believed a 1000-year event caused this. So, if the next heatwave happens, here is a list of things to help you conserve energy while remaining cool.
- Use the air conditioner sparingly
This may sound unproductive, especially when the air conditioner is the most used cooling appliance during a heatwave. The national electrical grid takes on the load during the sweltering heat, increasing the production costs. Ultimately, that cost is transferred to consumers to maintain the supply. Therefore, when you use your air conditioner excessively, you increase your monthly electrical bill.
As a solution, you may want to try turning off the air conditioner periodically when the room is cooled down and comfortable. You can set the thermostat to a higher temperature when your cooling appliance operates. Smart thermostats will automatically turn off the air conditioner when the room is cooled to a preset temperature. While it may seem like very little to do, you get to cool down your room and conserve energy simultaneously.
- Turn off ceiling fans when not in use
Indeed, one ceiling fan consumes up to 31.1 watts of energy. This is several times lower than one AC unit positioned in a single room. According to ecocostsavings.com, an AC unit consumes 3,500 watts, more than 100 times what the ceiling fan uses. However, this doesn’t mean you can leave them on all the time during a heatwave. If you buy powerful ceiling fans, you can use them to conserve energy.
This happens with the help of the wind chill effect. Therefore, leaving them on while you’re not there can be a total waste of power. Apart from that, it pays to learn more about the technology behind the ceiling fan. They operate with the help of a motor. However, running it excessively can cause the motor to overheat. It, therefore, makes sense to allow the ceiling fan to rest by turning it off when you are not there to enjoy the breeze.
- Avoid placing lamps or TV close to AC indoor unit or thermostat
First of all, your lamps, TVs, and other indoor appliances generate heat. It explains why they feel warm (sometimes hot) to touch when in use. Therefore, placing them close to the indoor AC unit causes your cooling appliance to overwork. Because the air conditioner has an inbuilt thermostat, the slightest heat sensation will cause it to consume more energy to cool the room. And this can increase your cost.
While your first inclination during a heatwave is to cool your body down, it should not cloud your judgment. It is vital to know that the grid is forced to increase supply during extremely hot periods. This results in less efficient power generation to meet increased demand. While you have no control over that, you can limit personal usage to cut down on cost.
