The cost of fossil fuels seems to increase every year; with that is an increase in our electric bills. Many of the items we have come to depend upon run on electricity: cell phones, televisions, laptops, the dishwasher and this time of the year, our air conditioner. To minimize your electric bill, we offer you these energy-saving tips for the summer:
Keeping Cool
- To keep your home cool, try turning up the thermostat a few degrees and turn on your fans. Every degree the thermostat is raised on your AC saves 2 percent on your electric bill.
- Consider installing ceiling fans in rooms you use regularly to help keep your family cool without relying solely on the AC.
- A breeze can really cool down your home. On less humid days, open up windows on opposite sides of the home to create cross-ventilation.
- Close window drapes and shades during the day to keep the heat from the sun from raising the temperature inside your home.
- Instead of turning down the AC, use a dehumidifier. You will be much more comfortable at a higher temperature when you remove the humidity from the air inside your home.
Lights and Home Electronics
- Turn off all unneeded lights and use natural light instead. Lights can increase a home’s temperature.
- Switch your lighting over to LED bulbs as they emit very little heat. LEDs can use up to 75 percent less energy and last up to 20 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
- Put outdoor lights on a motion sensor so they aren’t on all night long.
- Invest wisely and buy ENERGY STAR light fixtures and lamps.
- About 75 percent of the power used by electronics is wasted energy – sometimes referred to as “phantom power.” To avoid this, use Smart Strips which automatically detect which devices need power and which ones are fully charged.
These are just a few of the many summer energy-saving tips for your home. To get more tips like these, visit PPL’s Home Energy Tips.
Source: PPL Home Energy Tips – https://www.pplelectric.com/ways-to-save/tips-to-save.aspx