Watt Watchers of Texas: Texas is Too Good To Waste™

How to Save Energy in the Summer

May 17, 2021

Many people prepare to settle gigantic energy bills in the summer. It is normal to perceive the summer as the season where you will run your air conditioning equipment for the most extended hours, filling your freezers and fridges and endless washing cycles of your beach towels and bathing suits. All these activities will come with heavy energy demands and costs!

Even though the summer season makes exorbitant energy use a necessity, your financial position and "morals" may not allow you to take a spendthrift approach.

But do you want to repeat the same behaviors and patterns every summer season?

Now is the time to adopt a new energy-saving game plan and avoid the skyrocketing energy bills. Your house can be one of the coolest in your area this season at the least possible cost. But what do you need to make this a reality? You only need to do what other people will not be doing this summer, get the cleverest energy-saving tips.

Here's how to save energy in the summer to minimize your costs.

Start By Optimizing Your Thermostat Settings

It feels great every time you get your thermostat to the right level only minutes after attending a draining workout, experiencing a sweltering day, or generally spending a few hours outside in the summer. However, this joy sees its death when you set your eyes on your outrageous electricity bill.

You can reduce these financial pains by taking smart calculations when using your thermostat. A report by the Department of Energy indicates that you may save up to 10% of your annual energy costs by setting your thermostat at 78 degrees and keeping it within a stable range. Similarly, you will be saving up to 3% of your cooling costs for every degree you raise on your thermostat above the 72 degrees mark.

Remember to raise your thermostat to a comfortable level to optimize energy efficiency while balancing energy and money.

Your thermostat could give you a greater cost-saving opportunity by setting the temperature even higher any time you are away from home or turning it off just to ensure that no energy is used on air conditioning in an unoccupied house. Indeed, installing a programmable thermostat could save you the hassles associated with the physical presence and manual operations. They'll adjust your house temperatures automatically, even when you are miles away from home.

Reconnect with Nature to Save Money

Summers could be the best moments of the year to reconnect with Mother Nature. It would be best if you took advantage of the pleasant weather conditions in your area to enjoy longer hours outside your home. Reconnecting with the natural environment means spending fewer hours inside your house. This translates to enormous energy savings as you will give your AC, computers, and television sets a small break.

Here are the activities you can engage in this summer if you want to use the least amounts of energy:

  • Try attending to your gardens
  • Visit the park in your local area
  • Go to the beach
  • Take a hike
  • Visit an amusement park
  • Try handwashing your dishes instead of using the dishwasher
  • Enjoy your workout outside instead of using your weights and treadmill
  • Use the clothesline to dry your clothes
  • Grill outside instead of using your oven or stove

Critically, these activities are not only meant to help you cut down on your energy bills but also present a great moment for you to bond with your family members. What is better than that? You get to save money while minimizing your energy bill and spending quality time with your family! It is always fascinating to take advantage of energy-saving tips that help you in more ways than one.

Check Your Air Conditioner

Your air conditioner needs to undergo regular maintenance practices if you want it to give you the best service at the least cost possible in its several years of operation. You may end up with excessive bills knocking at your door if you hesitate to embrace timely checks.

Any electrical expert will tell you that neglecting your appliances causes poor performance and overall unnecessary energy usage. Take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to check your air conditioner's components, coils, heat pumps, and coolers to ensure that they are working as noted.

You may also try upgrading your air conditioners and other appliances that may consume a lot of energy this summer. This may indeed cost you a fortune in the present. However, you may need to stretch your sights beyond the enormous one-time cost of purchasing the appliances and audit the savings you will make cumulatively with efficient gadgets over the long run. Spending a few bucks on energy-efficient systems could be the wisest decision you make this spring.

Remember to maintain your air conditioner, upgrade your air conditioning system, and optimize energy-efficient components in each aspect of your home to lower your energy costs and stay cool.

Lower Your Oven Use to Lower Your Energy Bill

You know that your oven is one of the heaviest energy consumers in your house. What about adopting local arrangements and principles that will make it necessary to use the range only when necessary? This could be a hard decision to make as you may be using the oven for various reasons. However, you must remember that the more you put the stove to use, the more your AC works.

Take a little moment to decide how you can replace your oven's function with other gadgets that could offer similar services more feasibly.

A Few Energy Efficient Appliances to Think About

These energy-efficient appliances could be everything you will need to replace your oven in the summer.

Instant pot- Your instant pot could be a perfect replacement for your oven this summer any time you need slow-braised stew and meat. These meals may take you hours to bake when using the range.

The microwave- This is an ultimate energy saver. You won’t need your oven to heat your cooked food if you have a microwave. It will warm your food to the required temperature without creating volumes of hot air in the process.

The air fryer- Your air fryer could act as a traditional mini oven. It will work miracles any time you crave a bite of crispy food in the summer. The hot air that circulates inside the air fryer will be all that you will require to get your food cooked either rapidly or evenly.

Your toaster oven- In essence, your toaster oven could play the role of a mini oven. However, its energy consumption rates are a bit minimal compared to your range. Its size could come in handy as it will limit heat emissions.

These are a few energy-saving tips that seem like they are marginal but can add up and make a significant difference in your life.

Energy Saving Tips

Here are at Watt Watchers, we understand that cool air is lovely in the summer and that cold water can feel phenomenal during hot days in the summer months. That is why we look at minor changes in behavior patterns and consumption that promote ways to save money while mitigating power utilization.

Learn more about Watt Watchers and improving efficiency within your home and world; feel free to browse around for more information to keep your home cold while minimizing electricity consumption.

Whether it is about improving your window system, cooling and heating system, or modifying ways you do your laundry cooking, we're pleased to share as comprehensive as possible. Find out how we at Watt Watchers help you save on your energy costs with simple changes.

Watt Watchers of Texas is a Partner Program of Smart Energy Education.
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