|
Home
General Information
Account Information
Payment Options
Fees & Charges
New Account Info
Forms
Products & Services
Electrical Wiring Info
Misc Power Problems
Community Programs
News & Events
FAQ
Resource Links
Outages & Emergency Information
| |
Easy Summer Energy Tips
Indeed, summer is the hardest time to conserve energy.
However, by trying these energy efficiency tips, you may be able to save money
by using less energy.
- Set your thermostat to 78 degrees during the
summer months. You’ll save about 15 percent on your cooling bill over a
72-degree setting. Save more by raising the setting to 82 – 85 degrees when
you’re out for at least four hours. Install a programmable thermostat,
which lets you set the thermostat higher for hours when the house is
empty, but lower during your at-home hours.
- Change your air filter regularly. A dirty
filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you
cool – wasting energy.
- Tune up your HVAC equipment annually. Just as
a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of
your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. If
necessary, replace the unit with a newer, more efficient model.
- Turn off or replace lights. Most energy from
incandescent bulbs becomes heat. Compact fluorescent bulbs use 75 to 80
percent less energy and produce less heat.
- Use your microwave. Microwaves use 70 percent
less energy than an electric or gas oven. They also generate less heat than
an oven, keeping your cooling costs down.
- Use ceiling fans to spread the cool air. The
airflow produced by the ceiling fan creates a wind-chill effect, making you
“feel” cooler, even with a higher thermostat setting. Remember, ceiling
fans cool people, not rooms. If the room is unoccupied, turn off the
ceiling fan to save energy.
- Stop leaks into and out of the home. One of
the quickest dollar-saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal and weatherstrip
all ducts, windows, doors and pipe clearances. A few dollars here can save
10 percent on cooling costs.
- Insulate attic, walls and crawl spaces. The
greatest energy savings are achieved by adding attic insulation. Higher
R-values keep more cool air in during summer and warm air in during winter.
- Block the sun. Save on cooling costs by
closing drapes and blinds during the day to retain cool air and reduce
passive solar gain. Think of drapes and shades as window insulation.
Install solar screens and exterior shading on west-facing windows.
Back
to News & Events Page
|
