3 Energy Saving Tips For The Summer

Save Money and Energy

As the temperature climbs in the summer months, your electric bill rises as well. No one wants to pay more than they have to, and seeing those high summer electric bills can be painful. Fortunately, there are ways you can cut down on your energy usage during summer. Here are some of our best tips for reducing your energy consumption in the summer months:

Get a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat gives you complete control over your HVAC unit, even when you’re not physically home. This allows you to set up a schedule that accounts for your usage patterns to cut down on wasteful AC use.

For instance, if the whole family is gone during 9-to-5 working hours or during the school day, bump the temperature up, and only start to decrease it when people will be returning home. By not running the AC when there’s no one home to enjoy it, you’re saving a large amount of electricity. Your programmable thermostat makes sure your home is just as cool as it would be normally by the time you walk back in the door!

Protect Your HVAC

Direct and constant exposure to the sun can decrease the lifespan and function of your HVAC unit and will cause it to run more smoothly. Installing some kind of bush, tree or awning will protect your HVAC from the sun.

However, keep in mind that many trees and bushes can shed leaves, berries, seeds or other debris and various times of the year. That debris can clog or obstruct your HVAC, cutting down on its efficiency and even potentially causing permanent damage over time. Make sure to pick out a shrubbery or tree that doesn’t heavily shed obstructive debris.

Think About Replacing an Old HVAC Unit

The cost of replacing your HVAC unit may seem overwhelming at first glance. However, if you have an older unit, you might be able to realize a return on that investment sooner than you think.

Older HVAC units perform increasingly worse over time, and that translates to significantly more energy expended. New models can cut down on energy use by as much as 50% when compared to older models. It doesn’t take long for that savings to start to add up.

We know that staying cool in the summer months makes the season bearable. But at the same time, you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to do so. Using some of these tips can help you strike that balance between beating the heat and keeping your finances in order.