How to keep electric bills low this summer
This summer is gearing up to be a hot one! It’s the time of year when all of our A/C units are blasting and our electric bill skyrockets.
We have compiled some tips to help you lower your electric bill this summer.
Check your air condition unit. This is an excellent time to make sure you’re A/C units are running as they should be. Check the filters to make sure they are clean, make sure you have enough refrigerant, and make sure your thermostat is in good working order. If any of these things are out of sorts, it can cause your air condition unit (central or window) to work overtime and run up your bill.
Raise or turn off your A/C when you aren’t home. Most central units come with a timer so you can set your air to automatically raise or lower according to your schedule. If you don’t have a timer, make it part of your morning routine to raise the temperature before you leave for work.
Keep your fans running. Sometimes, it isn’t a matter of how cold it is in your house, but of air flow. Before lowering the thermostat a few more degrees, turn on your fans. This is also a good option for when you aren’t home. It will keep the house cool by promoting air flow without using as much energy as the A/C unit.
Unplug what you aren’t using. Your computer, TV, and so on are still sucking up power even when they are off. Make a habit of unplugging these when they aren’t in use. A simple solution is to plug your items in a power strip and turn off the power strip when you are done with them for the evening.
Avoid using the oven during the day. Power companies charge more for electric use during peak hours, which in the summer includes the hottest part of the day. Using your oven during daylight hours will cause your electric bill to skyrocket because you’re air condition unit needs to work harder to cool down the house. Try not to use your oven until after 7:00 PM, when things start to cool down.
Put a bowl of ice in front of a box fan. This is an old-school trick, but it works. If you want to be really frugal and avoid using your air condition altogether, put a bowl of ice in front of a box fan and point it in your direction. It will use a lot less power than running the A/C. This trick is good for when you’re sleeping because you only need your bedroom cool, not the entire house.
Keep the shades down during the day. Especially in New Orleans, a lot of our windows don’t have insulation. It is a good idea to invest in some energy efficient blinds to keep the house a little cooler during the day.