Tips to Lower Your Summer Utility Bill

During the summertime, pools are opening, students are out of school and the temperature is heating up. Aside from all the wonderful things that summer brings, each year the same predictable thing happens with your thermostat. Your utility bill skyrockets during the summer months! Consider these tips to help you lower your summer utility bill, and save money during the summer.

Thermostat at a high temperature

Close the blinds. One way to keep your residence cool during the summer is to close your blinds and curtains during the heat of the day. The lack of sunlight will keep your interior from heating up!

Use appliances sparingly. Use ovens, dishwashers, and other heat-producing appliances during the late evening or early morning when the outside temperature is coolest.

  • Pro tip: Run only full loads in the dishwasher and washing machine, and use cold water as much as possible.

Cook outside. Keep your house from heating up by cooking outside on a grill. This will help by making sure that your air conditioning isn’t working harder than it needs to on a hot day.

Change the temperature. To save money on your utility bill, turn your water heater down to the warm setting, or 120 degrees. Also, try increasing the temperature on your thermostat before leaving your house or apartment.

Dress for the heat. Wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothing to stay cool throughout the day, instead of making your air conditioner work overtime.

Break out the fan. Although it may seem counterproductive to use electric fans, they can be more cost-effective at keeping your cool air circulating than cranking your AC to a low temperature. Use more fans, including stationary and overhead ones, as well as your whole house fan, if your house is equipped with one. You can also open your windows on cool summer evenings in place of your air conditioning.

Replace your lights. If you have been using standard light bulbs, consider switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Although these bulbs are more expensive than standard ones, they use 75 percent less power, and last up to six times longer than the latter. Replacing two or three of your most used lights in your house, can amount to a savings of $40 per light bulb over the course of its lifetime.

With these tips, you can work to avoid seeing your utility bill soar this summer.

 

The information provided in these articles is intended for informational purposes only. It is not to be construed as the opinion of Central Bancompany, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and does not imply endorsement or support of any of the mentioned information, products, services, or providers. All information presented is without any representation, guaranty, or warranty regarding the accuracy, relevance, or completeness of the information.