Making your home energy efficient can help you trim hundreds of dollars off your utility bills this summer. Contrary to what you might assume, often all it takes are some simple and inexpensive measures to make a big difference.
The best place to begin is with a home-energy audit. The goal should be to try and identify areas and systems in your home that may not be very energy efficient. For example, power outlets and gaps under baseboards, doors and windows can let cooled air escape from the house or let hot, humid air in. Similarly, a forced-air furnace with a clogged air filter has to work harder, and therefore consumes more energy, to heat or cool your house. Poor insulation in the ceiling, walls and attic can also drain energy from your home. Addressing such issues can almost immediately help you cut down substantially on energy consumption with relatively little effort and spending on your part.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends several other measures that you can take to trim your utility bills during the summer months. For example, setting your thermostat at 78 degrees F, or as high as comfortably possible, can help you trim your electricity bill substantially. The goal should be to have your thermostat at a setting where there is no big difference between the temperature outside and inside your home. Another way to save energy is to have your thermostat set to a warmer temperature when you are away and a cooler setting when you are at home. Programmable thermostats allow you to manage these settings automatically and with very little manual interaction.
Ceiling fans offer another way to improve energy efficiency in your home. If you have central air conditioning in your home, a ceiling fan will allow you to set the thermostat four degrees higher than you normally would set it without sacrificing any comfort. Similarly, you can also cut costs by not using your oven too frequently on hot day. Regular cleaning and maintenance of your cooling equipment are two other important considerations for cutting down on home energy costs this summer.
To learn more about how you can save money this summer please contact the home insurance specialists at Hoey & Saks Insurance Agency in Mesa, Arizona.
Leave a Comment