You would think that the Lundberg electric bill in both the winter and summer months are brag-worthy to our neighbors, but like all KC Metro air conditioner consumers, we have to work at it. If there is one thing that you have learned from reading Blue Heating and Cooling blogs, it’s that we love to be efficient, save money and spend time with family…did I mention saving money? We love to be outside but prefer to keep the outside, well, outside. Being comfortable in your home should not break the bank. Keep reading to learn some of our most useful tips on how to save money on your electric bill this summer.
- Air Conditioner: Now is the time to show your air conditioner the love it deserves. If you haven’t already done so, schedule an annual preventative maintenance appointment with us. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times…preventative care is the most effective way to ensure that your unit is working efficiently which translates into saving money on your electric bill this summer.
- Programmable Thermostat: Just because you have a programmable thermostat doesn’t automatically mean that you are going to save money on your electric bill. Operator efficiency is as important as energy efficiency. A good rule of thumb is to set the temperature as high as possible to be comfortable when you are home i.e. you shouldn’t be wearing a sweatshirt to stay warm inside or wearing mini shorts and tank tops to stay cool. When you are away from your home for long periods of time, program the thermostat to a slightly warmer temperature. With that being said, remember how hard your air conditioner is going to have to work to re-cool your home so don’t set it too high.
- Keep the heat out: Of course, the simple thought would be to keep the curtains and blinds closed, and keep doors closed. However, reality leads me to believe that I will have to have the curtains open a little bit so I can see my kids playing in the yard, and my back door will open and close 10 times per hour. So, I have found a few other ways to keep the heat out and the cool in.
- Heat: Keep oven usage to a minimum by either grilling outside, using the cooktop or (my grandmother would scold me) use the microwave. This will not only decrease the heat buildup but will also help with energy efficiency.
- Cool: Switch ceiling fan blades to run counter-clockwise to create a cooler downward airflow.
- Be energy efficient: Energy bills are inflated by appliances, water heaters, lights, and electronics. If replacing older appliances with Energy Star rated appliances is not in your budget, learn to control your energy hungry appliances. Attempt to reduce oven use (and yes, I am smiling a little) by using alternative methods like your grill. Be mindful and know what you are looking for before you open the fridge door as well as cool hot food on the counter prior to putting it in the fridge or freezer. It always helps to turn off the lights when you leave a room and encourage shorter showers vs baths. Finally, put your electronics to sleep by turning them off completely. We could all use a break from the pinging and posting.
Creating a brag-worthy electric bill takes work, but the money saver is in all of us. I hope you find a few of these simple tips on how to save money on your electric bill this summer easy enough to incorporate into your daily lives. Happy Saving!
