Summer brings tons of heat, along with a spike in electricity bills. It is only normal to expect higher energy costs in the summer, because we are inclined to stay indoors and we use the A/C to keep our body temperature cool. Everyone is home and there’s more need for electronics. If you send the kids out to play, there will be need to wash more clothes and then you’d have to boil water to prepare them for a bath. Below are 10 tips that will help you use less energy in the summer and hopefully, you can cut the cost on your energy bill.
A cold shower is refreshing, especially on hot summer days. It is not only important for personal hygiene, but it cools the body temperature. A cold shower improves blood circulation and will increase the heart rate, allowing a free circulation and thus energizing you. In addition, valuable energy can be saved in this way, since the water does not have to be heated first.
Summer is a good excuse to indulge our cravings. Think delicious ice creams and chilled drinks. We fill freezers and refrigerators with this delicious goodness. But, refrigerators and freezers consume energy. The older the refrigerator or freezer, the higher its energy consumption, old refrigerators also give off a lot of heat. This doesn’t help with the summer temperature. It is best to replace it with a new refrigerator, one with an energy efficiency class of A ++. Set the thermostat between 35 and 38 degrees for your refrigerator and between 0 and 5, for your freezer. They consume less energy and don’t dispel heat like the older refrigerators.
Switch off all devices, when you leave the house and make sure that the devices do not continue to use electricity in standby mode. With switchable power strips, you can reliably turn off the power of all devices. It’s a convenient way to save energy during summer and winter. In summer this trick is a win/win situation: You save valuable energy and also prevent the electrical devices from giving off heat into your home.
You can save on hot water when washing by using cold water. You can confidently send the dryer on a summer vacation. Take advantage of the summer season and air dry your laundry outside. Besides, air-dried laundry smells better. This is not only particularly quick and fun, but it also saves energy!
During the heat season, the temptation to buy a cheap, portable air conditioner grows. However, in addition to significantly increasing electricity costs, disappointment is often the result: These devices are often overwhelmed, especially in large rooms. They are not built with the capacity to work in a larger environment. If you are not dependent on air conditioning for health reasons, you can choose to use a fan. The fan is good at cooling and it also consumes a significantly lesser amount of electricity. If you are a tenant, you can fix electric fans without having to seek permission from your landlord. Always remember to turn off the fans when you are not in the room.
If you must use your air conditioner, then replacing your air filter is an effective way to make sure that your A/C runs smoothly and efficiently. Clogged, dirty, filters block normal airflow and reduce the air conditioners’ ability to absorb heat. Replacing a dirty filter with a clean one can lower your A/C’s energy usage.
Shading elements are a sensible alternative to air conditioning systems. They may be more expensive than an air conditioner, when bought from a hardware store, but they do not generate energy costs. Shading systems must always be installed on the outside. If you do not have external shading systems, roller blinds, or blinds in front of the windows can help to keep the rooms cool without using an energy- consuming air conditioning unit. Windows should always be closed and only opened late into the morning. Ventilation should be done at night and early in the morning on hot days because the outside temperature is always low at these times.
Riding a bike instead of a car not only saves energy in summer, but it also reduces emissions of climate-damaging carbon dioxide. Bicycles are a climate-friendly alternative, especially in summer. The interiors of trains are much cooler than a car interior. If however, there’s need to travel with a car, or an airplane, instead of a train and a bicycle: there are few tricks that work. For example, always pay attention to the correct tire pressure in the car and try to be proactive.
Summertime is barbecue time, whether in the home garden, on the balcony, with friends or by the lake. Here and there, a really hearty grilled sausage and a juicy steak are simply part of a successful summer for many. You should grill outside and not in the kitchen to reduce energy bills. Using kitchen appliances can raise the temperature a notch. But by grilling outside, you reduce the energy you’d use in running the appliances and also save on air conditioning costs when cooling your home.
Led bulbs are a cheaper alternative to incandescent light bulbs. Incandescent bulbs utilize about 10 to 15% of the electricity, the rest becomes waste heat. LED lights are the most energy-efficient lighting option. They use 75% less energy, last 25 times longer, and run much cooler than standard incandescent lights.
During the summer, there’s an increase in water usage. Whether you’re watering the lawn, taking a shower or swimming to cool off, you can cut the cost on outdoor watering costs by watering only grasses and plants, in the morning or at dusk, to prevent the water from evaporating in the summer heat.
With these simple summer energy-saving tips, you can maintain a healthy temperature, and keep your budget, well within the comfort zone. You can use the savings to treat yourself to a weekend vacation in the fall!
