Today marks the first official day of summer with the summer solstice and since we’re experiencing one of the hottest heat waves in recent years, there is no better time to brush up on our energy saving tips. As a society, we typically spend more money during the summer, on vacations, BBQs and other social gatherings, and cooling. Here in Southern California, we typically can get away with keeping the air conditioning off during these summer months, which in turn, saves you money. But here are few other ways in which you can save on your energy bill this summer:
- If you must turn your AC on for those extraordinarily hot days, keep it at 78 degrees when you’re home and 85 for when you’re not. Make sure to keep furniture and other large objects clear of the vents.
- Make sure to have your AC vents and filters cleaned or replaced. Not only will this be more energy efficient, but will increase the quality of air in your home.
- To minimize indoor heat, run your dryer and dishwasher at night. If it is warm enough out, let your dishes air dry. Avoid using the oven as much as you can, instead, use a microwave, toaster oven or even an outdoor grill. Avoid using the oven during 2-8 p.m.
- Adjust your water heater to 120 degrees.
- Use window, ceiling, or house fans. These use less energy than any cooling system.
- Wash your clothes in cold water and don’t forget to clean the lint filter after each dry.
- Keep your blinds and windows closed during the day and open them at night. You can trap the cool air in your home by keeping the windows closed and keep the cool air in longer by closing the blinds.
- When you’re not using them, unplug appliances. The best way to go about this is to plug home electronics, like the computer, TV, and DVD player, into a power strip so you can simply and safely flip the switch off.
- If you have multiple refrigerators or freezers, look into consolidating them into one. This will save you majorly on your next utility bill.
- If you have a pool, slowly reduce the filtration to every 30 minutes. Keep reducing the time period between filtration if the water appears to be clean. You may even be able to reduce it to every six hours a day.
