Umair Gaines
Summer is a time when energy bills can skyrocket, with air conditioners running around the clock to keep homes cool. However, there are numerous ways to reduce electricity costs during the warmer months. From simple habits like unplugging appliances and electronics to more significant changes like improving insulation and weatherproofing, there are many ways to save money and stay comfortable. With a bit of planning and some adjustments, you can keep your cool without breaking the bank.
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What You'll Learn
Use fans and raise the thermostat
Fans are a great way to keep cool during the summer without breaking the bank. Ceiling fans, in particular, are very cost-effective, costing approximately 1 cent per three hours of use. They are a great alternative to air conditioning, which can be expensive to run around the clock during the hotter months.
If you do need to use air conditioning, you can still save electricity by raising your thermostat. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your cooling bill will be. For example, if your ideal home temperature during the summer is 72°F, you should turn the thermostat up to 80°F while you're away at work. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this can potentially save you 10% on your electricity bill.
In the warmer seasons, the Department of Energy recommends a thermostat setting of 78°F, and 85°F when no one is home. Homeowners who follow this strategy will save an average of $83 per year.
You can also save energy by programming your thermostat to adjust the temperature at different times of the day. For example, you can set the thermostat to a higher temperature when you are away and then lower it to a comfortable temperature when you are at home. Programmable thermostats will also automatically adjust the temperature before you wake up or return home, so you don't have to worry about forgetting to change the settings.
It's important to note that raising the thermostat may not always be the most comfortable option, especially during the hottest summer days. However, by combining the use of fans with a moderate thermostat setting, you can effectively reduce your electricity costs during the summer.
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Cook outside
Cooking outside is a great way to save electricity during the summer months. Not only does it reduce your utility bills, but it also creates opportunities for al fresco dining and outdoor gatherings. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Firstly, grilling with propane, natural gas, or charcoal consumes less energy than using electric stoves and ovens. By cooking outdoors, you can avoid turning on the AC to cool down your kitchen, which can lead to significant savings on your electricity bill. If you have a BBQ grill, this can be a great option for cooking outdoors, but remember to use it in an open space due to the high levels of carbon monoxide produced. Charcoal grills, in particular, are a good choice as they are cheaper to run than electric grills.
If you're looking for a more traditional cooking experience, portable butane stoves are a great option. They are small, transportable, and fairly inexpensive, providing a similar experience to cooking on a gas or electric stovetop. For those who enjoy baking, a dutch oven can be placed among the embers of a fire to cook oven-roasted chicken, pot pies, fresh-baked bread, and more. This method ensures your food is cooked thoroughly without burning.
For a more primitive approach, you can cook over an open fire. This method requires fire-starting tools such as matches, tinder, flint, and dry wood. Always be cautious and create a barrier to prevent the fire from spreading. Alternatively, you can build a rocket stove, which is small, efficient and particularly helpful when you are low on fire-starting supplies. Rocket stoves use a small amount of wood and direct heat to the cooking surface through a vertical chimney.
Lastly, solar cookers are an innovative way to cook outdoors using the power of the sun. They are lightweight, foldable, and perfect for camping trips or emergencies. Solar cookers can reach temperatures of 225°F, providing a warm meal even when an open flame is not an option.
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Seal air leaks
Air leaks can cause a significant increase in electricity costs during the summer. Cool air escapes through leaks, and warm air enters, forcing your air conditioner to work harder to keep your home cool.
To prevent this, you must first identify the air leaks in your home. You can do this yourself or hire a professional energy auditor. On windy days, you can detect leaks by feeling around doors and window frames, the base of walls, and anywhere with an opening from the outside to the inside. You can also use a stick of burning incense; the smoke will deflect if there is a leak. Be sure to check around electrical outlets and light switches, even those on interior walls. Recessed ceiling light fixtures and whole-house fans are also common sources of air leaks.
Once you have identified the leaks, you can seal them. Caulking and weatherstripping are two simple and effective techniques. Caulk is generally used for cracks and openings between stationary components, such as around door and window frames. Weatherstripping is used to seal components that move, such as doors and operable windows.
When sealing with caulk, cut off the plastic tip of the cartridge at an angle, insert the cartridge into a caulk gun, and push the plunger forward. Pierce the seal and advance the plunger. Be sure to clean the surfaces before applying the caulk. Silicone and silicone/modified polymer caulk are the best products, as they are more flexible and long-lasting. However, they are more expensive than latex caulk, which is easier to apply.
For larger gaps around windows, baseboards, and other areas where air may leak out, use foam sealant. You can also use rope caulk for windows, a removable, putty-like cord that you apply before winter and remove in the spring if you want to open the windows.
In addition to doors and windows, you should also caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring comes through walls, floors, and ceilings. Install foam gaskets behind outlet and switch plates, especially those along exterior walls.
By sealing air leaks, you can reduce your heating and cooling costs by up to 20%.
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$103.5 $129.99
Install window coverings
Window coverings are a great way to save on electricity costs during the summer. Up to 20% of a home's heated or cooled air is lost through its windows, so installing the right window coverings can make a big difference.
Window awnings are a great option for preventing solar heat gain. Awnings can reduce heat gain by up to 65% on south-facing windows and 77% on west-facing windows. They are typically made from synthetic fabrics such as acrylic and polyvinyl laminates, which are water-repellent and treated to resist mildew and fading. Light-coloured and opaque awnings are best, as they reflect more sunlight. Awnings require ventilation to prevent hot air from becoming trapped, so choose an awning with grommets or other openings along the top and sides.
Interior window shutters are another effective option. These solid coverings are made from thick materials such as wood, vinyl, or wood composite, and they fit snugly against windows to insulate rooms and reduce energy costs. Shutters with slats, or louvers, can be adjusted to let in light or keep it out. Plantation shutters are a popular type of shutter that can be opened like doors to let in more light.
Window shades are a simple and effective way to save energy. Roller shades are typically inexpensive and can be raised or lowered from a roller bar at the top of the window. Roman shades are fabric shades that are drawn up into a series of evenly stacked folds. They come in a variety of fabrics, colours, and weaves, with heavier fabrics offering better thermal performance. Cellular shades, or honeycomb shades, are one of the most energy-efficient options. They trap air in honeycomb-like cell pockets to keep rooms cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Larger pleat sizes tend to be more energy-efficient, as they trap more air.
Blinds are effective at reducing heat gain in the summer. Horizontal slat-type blinds can be adjusted to block and reflect direct sunlight onto a light-coloured ceiling, which diffuses light without much glare. When completely closed and lowered on a sunny window, highly reflective blinds can reduce heat gain.
Curtains and drapes can also reduce heat gain, with their effectiveness depending on fabric type and colour. Medium-coloured draperies with white plastic backings can reduce heat gain by 33%. Hang curtains as close to windows as possible, and consider installing a cornice at the top of the draperies and sealing the sides to increase their effectiveness.
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Switch to LED light bulbs
Switching to LED light bulbs is a great way to save on electricity costs during the summer. LED bulbs are highly energy-efficient, using up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. This means that, over time, you will save money on your electricity bills, even though LED bulbs may be more expensive upfront.
LED bulbs also have a much longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs, lasting up to 25 times longer. This means you won't need to replace them as frequently, resulting in additional cost savings. For example, if you use an incandescent bulb for 2 hours a day, you would need to replace it every 1.64 years, spending around $30 a year on bulbs. In contrast, an LED bulb used for the same amount of time would last approximately 34.25 years, so you would only replace it once in over three decades.
The cost of LED bulbs has decreased since they first entered the market, and prices are expected to continue to drop as more products become available. They are now relatively inexpensive and easily accessible.
In addition to the financial benefits, LED bulbs can also help reduce your summertime air conditioning needs. Incandescent bulbs generate a significant amount of heat, whereas LED bulbs are predominantly light, with only a small percentage of heat generation. By switching to LED bulbs, you can help keep your home cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning and further lowering your electricity costs during the summer.
To maximize your savings, it is important to replace all your incandescent bulbs with LED alternatives. While individual LED bulbs will save you money over time, the most significant cost reduction will be seen when you switch all your bulbs. This comprehensive approach ensures that the heat generation from incandescent bulbs is eliminated, allowing your air conditioning to run less frequently and reducing your overall electricity consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to reduce your electricity bill in the summer. Firstly, you can use fans or portable coolers instead of air conditioning. If you do use AC, make sure to set it to 78°F (25.5°C) when you're at home, and turn it off or set it to a higher temperature when you're out. You can also save money by grilling outside instead of using the oven or stove, which will reduce the need for AC.
Appliances such as ovens, stoves, and hairdryers use the most electricity. Using them less often, or opting for lower-energy alternatives, can help to reduce your electricity bill. For example, you could cook outside on a grill, or use a microwave or mini-oven instead.
You can reduce your electricity usage by adopting energy-efficient measures, such as switching to LED lightbulbs, which use less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs. You can also unplug appliances and electronics when they're not in use, as they can draw energy even when turned off.
To make your air conditioning more efficient, ensure there are no air leaks in your home, as these can waste energy and make your AC work harder. You should also regularly clean and maintain your AC unit, and ensure there is no furniture or other objects blocking the airflow.
