Summer Energy Savings

By Pat McGonagle, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Air conditioners keep you cool and comfortable during summer months. They also increase household energy use, which means a higher energy bill. Fortunately, there are ways to save on summer cooling costs. Here are five tips for saving energy (and money) while an air conditioner cools your home.

Pay attention to the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures.

You can save energy by setting the thermostat as close to the outdoor temperature as possible, while maintaining your family’s comfort. This is because the bigger the difference in the inside and outside temperatures, the more energy it takes to cool your home. Let’s look at energy use for someone who keeps the thermostat at 72°F. Their air conditioner requires more energy when it is 90°F outside than it does at 80°F.

Bump up the thermostat before you leave the house.

It is a common misconception that air conditioners use more energy when you adjust the temperature throughout the day. In fact, the energy needed to return your home to a cool temperature is roughly equal to the energy you save by turning it down. Real savings comes when you adjust the thermostat for lengthy periods of time (4-8 hours). You can also use a programmable thermostat to optimize savings and automatically adjust temperatures to your family’s schedule.

Cover the windows.

More than seventy percent of sunlight on a standard double-pane window turns into heat. Use window coverings to maximize your energy savings. Close draperies on windows in direct sunlight. Selecting draperies with whiteplastic backings can reduce heat gains by 33%. Cellular shades reduce unwanted solar heat through windows by up to 80%. Outdoor window awnings reduce solar heat gain by up to 65% on south-facing windows and 77% on west-facing windows.

Use fans and ventilation to cool your home.

Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. Remember that fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect. Use the exhaust fans to remove heat and humidity from your home. Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes.

Maintain your cooling system.

For maximum energy affordability, schedule regular maintenance for your cooling equipment. Clean or replace filters on air conditioners once a month, or as recommended by the manufacturer. Vacuum air intake vents regularly to remove dust buildup. Do not block airflow through your registers with furniture or other items.

By taking a few extra steps, you can keep your energy bill in check during the hot summer months. Questions? Give us a call at 1-800-255-6815 or visit myenergycoop.com/save.