Keep a Handle on Your Electric Bill This Summer
Summer in
Thermostat
The temperature at which you keep your home is one of the biggest culprits of higher electric bills. Energy companies typically recommend setting the thermostat at 78 degrees when people are home. Every degree below that will result in an increase to your cooling bill of about 5 percent to 7 percent.
If you currently keep your thermostat at 75 degrees, raising it to 78 degrees could save you up to 21 percent. For many people that’s at least $100 per month.
At times of the day when everyone is at work or school, set the thermostat to 81 or 82 degrees for even greater savings.
Use a programmable thermostat whenever possible and avoid adjusting your pre-set temperatures between cycles whenever possible.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans cost about a penny an hour to operate and can help the room feel cooler when your thermostat is set higher. Turn them on when people are in the room and turn them off when the room is empty for maximum efficiency.
Solar Screens
Solar screens on your windows help reflect the sun, which keeps the heat out of your home. Put them on the east and west windows for maximum savings. Solar screens can also be costly, so do your homework before making an investment. Electric Company
Switching electric companies can definitely save you money. If you are not under a lengthy contract, go to powertochoose.org and see which companies provide electricity in your area. See which company has the cheapest rate per Kilowatt hours (kWh) and contact that company to see how long it takes for the switch to become effective.
If your family is using at least 1,000 kWh of energy each month and you’re paying 10 cents per KWh, switching to a provider charging 8.2 cents per kWh will save you a minimum of $18 per month.
Before switching to another provider, be sure to review their pricing for energy usage below 1,000 kWh. Most charge more and the prices vary considerably. If your family isn’t using at least 1,000 kWh in the summer, switching could actually cost you money.
Insulation
A well insulated home is one of the best ways to reduce cooling costs, because it blocks the flow of warm air. According to Reliant Energy, a house without sufficient insulation can lose up to 40 percent of heated or cooled air. Adding more insulation in your attic may help make your house cooler this summer and keep the air conditioning from coming on quite so often.
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