Energy Saving Tips for Summer

Summertime is memorable for many things — family vacations, cookouts, fireworks — and sometimes, some massive electric bills. Keeping the home relaxed, comfortable, and well-lit during all those summer festivities can give the power bill a workout.

So along with searching for great grilling recipes and fun beach getaways, smart consumers will also check on energy saving tips to reduce the cost of their summer fun. There are plenty of simple, low-cost steps that every homeowner can take to trim the electric bill without a lot of extra effort or expense. Here are five energy-saving tips that can be put to work right now to lower those costs.

Upgrading Light Bulbs and Fixtures

Even though the days are longer this time of year, most homes still use plenty of electric light. It could belong to visits with friends on the front porch or kids trying to stay up all night. Whatever the case, extra light usage means additional electricity usage. Replacing standard incandescent bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs is one of the best energy-saving tips a homeowner can follow.

These bulbs use a fraction of the energy that the old models use, and they last much longer while providing bright, clean light. Old lights may be less efficient, wasting power while illuminating a space. Energy savings recoup the initial investment of the bulbs.

Managing Sunlight

Solar rays are the most significant source of heat in a home, so anything that can be done to limit their impact can provide more benefit to the energy bill’s bottom line. Careful management of blinds can be beneficial. Any room that is not occupied or used during the day should be blocked off with blackout blinds, and the entire house should be closed off when no one is home. Some indirect sunlight from windows to the side and rear from the sun’s primary angle can be allowed while those squarely facing late-day sun should be at least partially shaded off.

Cooling the Car

Finding useful energy-saving tips for cutting costs on cooling means excluding heat in every way possible. Vehicles are an often-overlooked source of heat in the home. High temperatures make the car’s body hot, and the engine generates even more warmth from the drive home.

Pulling your car into an attached garage and closing the door behind it, results in all that heat radiating out of the vehicle and into the house. A better option is to leave the car outside until it has cooled completely, or at least until much of the heat has dissipated. This step will dramatically reduce the amount of work required for the home’s air conditioner to maintain a comfortable temperature.

Servicing the AC

A dirty air conditioning system with worn components is a real drain on the home’s energy. The system must work harder to provide the same amount of cooling as a better-maintained unit, so there is a corresponding more substantial draw on the home’s electrical system. Servicing the system is one of the best energy-saving tips homeowners can use, but it means more than just replacing filters.

Having a heating and cooling contractor examine the system and provide deep cleaning will go a long way toward reducing the energy demand on the home’s biggest user of summertime power. In the long term, it can also prevent more significant breakdowns that lead to hefty repair bills — on top of higher energy bills.

Cooking Out

Nobody needs much extra motivation to cook outside, but those who do may be pleased to see the impact it can have on their electric bill. Stepping up the grilling game and preparing more than just meat outside will keep the oven and range from filling the home with unneeded heat. It doesn’t make sense to use electricity to make the house hotter and then to use more power to make it chilly again.

Traditional gas and charcoal grills are very versatile, easily used for preparing vegetables and other side items in addition to the usual steaks, chops, and burgers. Also, many homeowners are now installing outdoor kitchens that provide the same appliances and functionality as an indoor one — without the unneeded heat inside. A qualified electrician can set up an outdoor space as a vast social and functional area that will also lower energy costs.

Everybody likes to save money on their utility costs. With summer being notorious for running up the bill, savvy consumers can use energy-saving tips like these to get their bills under control so that they can enjoy the season without worrying about how to pay the electric bill.