The summer months are upon us and it seems that Mother Nature’s record-breaking heat waves will be paying us another visit.
During this time of year, the majority of homeowners will be running their air conditioning units at record rates.
According to an article on www.foxbusiness.com, the average summer electricity bill in 2013 in the United States was about $395.
The website offers a variety of suggestions to help keep your energy costs down this summer.
The first involves managing consumption by programming your thermostat to a higher temperature when you’re not at home.
The article also suggests using more energy-efficient appliances and changing air conditioner filters at least once a month.
Make sure your home is properly sealed in order to keep the cool air in, the article states. This can be accomplished by walking through your home and finding cracks and leaks in windows or baseboards and filling them with rubber or caulk.
The final tip listed in the article involved utilizing power strips. During the day, the gadgets we leave plugged in are increasing utility bills, the article states. Connecting devices to a power strip with about five to six different plugs will be an easier way to remember to turn off the power to the gadgets. Instead of unplugging multiple plugs, there will be just one switch to remember before leaving the house for the day.
There are a few other tips the website didn’t list.
Always remember to turn off the lights and gadgets when you leave a room in your house. If no one is in there, there’s no reason to have it on.
If you have a lot of windows in your home, curtains can be a great addition. They not only add a pop of color, but also block some of the sun’s rays from creating too much heat inside your home.
No matter how you choose to conserve energy this summer, remember to have fun and stay hydrated.