Summer has officially arrived and temperatures will soon be on the rise. Electric customers can keep their cool as the weather warms up by using a few of these energy-saving tips.
• Turn Up Your Thermostat -- Set your air conditioner (AC) thermostat to the highest comfortable setting. You can save 2 to 3 percent for each degree you raise the setting. Use a ceiling fan to circulate cool air. Moving air will help the room feel more comfortable, but be sure to turn it off when you leave.
• Install A Programmable Thermostat -- Adjusting the thermostat 5 to 8 degrees can help save energy when you're away from home for several hours. A programmable thermostat lets you set it and forget it.
• Replace air conditioner filter monthly -- Dirty filters restrict airflow making your AC work harder and significantly increasing energy use. Use the arrival of your electric statement as your reminder to change your filter.
• Inspect equipment -- Have your cooling equipment inspected to ensure it's operating efficiently. When it's time to replace your old unit, choose an energy efficient model. Check for available rebates before you buy.
• Seal the leaks -- Weatherstrip or caulk to reduce air loss around doors and windows, cover your outlets and seal your ductwork. Leaky ductwork can account for as much as 25 percent of your cooling cost. And, be sure to keep doors and windows closed when the AC is running.
• Wait until later -- Complete heat and/or steam producing activities after 8 p.m. or before 8 a.m. to reduce the load on your AC. This includes laundry, dishwashing, cooking, showers or baths. Do only full loads when using your dishwasher and clothes washer. For meals, use your microwave or outdoor grill when possible.
• Block out the sun -- Close your drapes or shades on windows that face the sun (east in the morning, south during sunlit hours, west from noon to sunset). Exterior shading, including trees or awnings, is the most effective, but interior shading will help.
• Install energy efficient light bulbs -- Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient bulbs, especially in your most used fixtures. They use about 75 percent less energy, put off less heat and can last 10 -- 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
• Turn off unused electronics -- Most TVs, DVRs, chargers, computers and other electronics use electricity even when they are switched off. Utilize a power strip with surge protection to provide a hard shut-off. Although these standby losses are only a few watts each, they can quickly add up and are consumed all the time.
Community on 07/17/2014