Cut Your Summer Energy Bills with These Tips

Summer will be kicking into gear across the country soon.  You can almost hear the air conditioners starting up already.  And with it comes higher energy bills.  On average, a household will spend $1,900 a year on energy, using electricity and gas.  And much of the energy is wasted money. 

 

Good thing technology has come so far.  You can now cut your energy bills without suffering by candlelight.  The following steps can be relatively painless and easy to do.

 

1. Upgrade your thermostat – new programmable thermostats are the best to help you save energy.  You can program it to cool your home at different temperatures at specific times.  Installing a programmable thermostat will only set you back around $100, and can save you a substantial amount of money over time.  Studies say you will cut your heating and cooling bills by 10% annually using these devices.
2. Go green – this will require a little more work but the returns are enormous.  Planting a few shade trees around you home can save you $100 to $200 each year and will make your yard look better.  And if you’re not good at nurturing trees and plants, you can always keep your shades or curtains closed.
3. Buy fluorescent light bulbs – these new bulbs use 75% less energy than the traditional bulb and last 10 times longer.  Plus you will be ahead of the game in 2009 when traditional light bulbs aren’t sold anymore.  Using these bulbs will save you $120 to $200 over the next three years. 
4. Keep your air conditioning unit clean – keeping your unit clean will help it perform at its best, which is another big money saver.  Each spring you should get a professional tune up on your unit.  And make sure you are changing out your filter when it is required.  Changing it a little sooner won’t hurt either.  Another thing to remember to clean is your refrigerator condenser coils.  This will make the unit perform at its best and save energy.
5. Get a fan – a ceiling fan will balance out a room’s temperature and will allow you to turn down the AC and still be cool.
6. Unplug – many electronics still use energy even when they are turned off and still plugged up.  If you’re not using your coffeemaker, toaster, cell phone charger, television, computer, etc., unplug it.  This will save you $5 annually.
7. Take care of leaks – leaky windows and ducts let out cool or warm air.  This makes your AC work harder and you’re cooling the great outdoors for nothing.  Make sure you can’t feel air around windows and doors.  If you can, seal them off as soon as possible.
8. Be a money saving shopper – the best way to save money on energy is to buy energy-efficient appliances.  Make sure you shop for the Energy Star label. 

 

For more tips on maintaining your home or buying a new home with up-to-date energy saving devices, visit my website.