How homeowners can beat the heat and keep cool without raising energy costs
As Charlotte’s record-breaking heat wave rages on, residents are relying on their thermostats for relief at home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in-home heating and cooling take up nearly half of the average home’s energy bills.
Still, the arrival of summer doesn’t have to mean higher costs. By making small changes, you can stay cool while simultaneously beating summer energy costs.
Redirect your ceiling fans
If you have ceiling fans at home, you may want to make sure you’re using them correctly. Renters and homeowners are often unaware that they can switch the direction of their ceiling fans to blow warmer or cooler air.
Running a ceiling fan counter-clockwise will take the cool air from the lower part of the room, redirect it up and blow it back down at you.
Be sure to turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room to save energy. Fans only cool people down and will not make the room any cooler than it is once you leave it.
Conduct regular maintenance on your AC
According to the Department of Energy, replacing your home’s disposable air filters is the most effective way to maintain the efficiency of your unit. Making sure you’re conducting proper maintenance on your air conditioner by simply replacing filters every 90 days can lower energy consumption by anywhere from 5% to 15%.
Use blinds and curtains
This step may require sacrificing beloved sunlight, but it works. Reader’s Digest reports that using your shades and curtains to block out sunlight during the afternoon can reduce the amount of heat coming into your home by up to 25%.
Check your home’s insulation
Insulation isn’t only useful during the winter months. It also prevents the cool air provided by your AC from escaping your home.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, ensuring your home is properly insulated and replacing it if necessary can lower energy bills.
Raise the temperature when when not home
Raising the temperature when you leave your home will not raise your electricity bill.
Lauren Urbanek, a senior program advocate for the Center for Energy Efficiency Standards, Climate & Clean Energy Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, told NBC News that although it seems counterproductive, raising the temperature when you leave the house and lowering it when you return actually saves energy by not forcing your unit to run so vigorously throughout the day.
“If it’s 85 out and you set it to 65, the air conditioner has to work harder,” Urbanek said. “Now if you set it to 78 during the day and set it back (lower) when you get home it may have to work a little harder and run longer... but at the same time it’s not going to be running all day.”
This story was originally published June 14, 2022 at 2:56 PM.
