It’s summertime and the livin’s easy, but in the South, we know that it’s down right hot. To save money on energy bills, try these tips.
- On sticky days, cook on your stove or grill outside rather than using your oven.
- Install efficient lighting that runs cooler. Only about 15% of the electricity consumed by incandescent bulbs result in light — the rest is turned into heat. To cut down on this, take advantage of daylight, but use window coverings to avoid direct sunlight.
- Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes and opt for air drying whenever possible.
- Take shorter showers using cooler water, and lower the water heater temperature to 120 degrees.
- Use the bathroom fan to get rid of heat and humidity from your home. If you use AC, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about four degrees with no reduction in comfort.
- When you leave a room, turn everything off, even your ceiling fans. Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect.
Follow these guidelines and you’ll stay cool while your pockets stay full. For more energy saving tips, see energy.gov.