The summer season offers a plethora of fun and exciting activities. It’s the perfect time to soak up the warm weather, have backyard cookouts with family, head to the beach, or host a pool party at home.
While these are things to look forward to, some people choose to stay at home to avoid the scorching heat outside. This can be true, especially for people living in tropical regions. In turn, this would compel them to stay at home and turn on their air conditioners (AC) to cool their interiors and boost comfort.
Practical Ways To Save On Energy Costs
Regardless of any setting, air conditioning units continue to be one of the biggest energy consumers. Running your cooling system nearly every day can result in increased electricity bills. Gladly, there’s an array of ways that you can do to reduce your worry about your inflating expenses.
If you own a few residential spaces, commercial air filtration systems can unclog dirty air filters that take nearly half of your average monthly bills. With this, you can save money in the long haul and ensure your AC systems’ efficiency while keeping your premises smelling fresh and pleasant.
Apart from cleaning your air filters, below are other simple energy-saving practices to stay within your budget during the summer months. Whether you’re a homemaker or a business owner, these strategies will certainly help you cut down costs without compromising comfort.
1. Minimize Or Reschedule Heat-Producing Activities
The humidity level outside can affect and increase the temperature inside your home, resulting in extra heat. While it can be easy to force your air conditioning systems to work harder, consider minimizing heat-producing activities inside.
Instead of cooking on the stovetop or oven in the kitchen, opt to microwave your food outside. Upon creating your weekly meal plans, try no-cook dishes. From fresh salads to hummus bowls, there are plenty of easy recipes online, which can add variety to your meals. Also, since the summer months are the perfect time for outdoor cookouts, use this time to grill your food.
Alternatively, you can reschedule doing your typical household chores. For instance, opt to iron your clothes during the evening, in the wee hours of the morning, or when the temperatures have dropped. Likewise, do your laundry, run your dryer, and use your dishwasher during the same off-peak, cooler hours. These small changes can significantly help you control the heat buildup inside and avoid overworking your air conditioners during the day.
2. Use Your Fans
Electric fans consume less energy compared to air conditioning systems. Considering this, use your fans to get the most out of the cool air from your AC appliance. Start by switching them on to push the hot air out, then turn your air conditioning unit on to enjoy a wind-chill effect.
When placed strategically, your desk or ceiling fan can efficiently regulate the temperatures in your living areas and allow the breeze to move through. In this way, you can keep your home and workspaces cool without having to push your AC to overwork.
However, make sure to switch off your fans when you’re not using them to cut down your energy bill. Alternatively, invest in energy-efficient fans that are equipped with sensors. These smart appliances can detect if there’s a need to boost the cool air in your space. When the area is adequately cold, it automatically turns off. Apart from saving money, these high-tech appliances can contribute to sustainability.
Moreover, these innovations can also be useful in businesses. Well-ventilated workspaces could improve employee well-being, boost productivity, and even increase client morale.
3. Seal Your Doors And Windows
Another easy energy-saving practice you can start today is to seal the gaps in your windows, add caulk around the cracks in your doors, and shut them tightly so the cold air won’t leave your living areas.
The sun’s heat can compel your AC system to work harder to regulate the temperatures inside. Hence, as you turn on your AC, make sure to pull down your drapes and close your blinds to block outside heat from entering your spaces. Savvy management of your window treatments can decrease the load on your air conditioning units, which in turn, helps you save electricity.
These practices might seem simple, but doing these activities can keep your areas adequately cool, especially during the hottest part of the day.
Summing It Up
By cleaning your air filters, rescheduling your household chores, placing your fan strategically, and closing the gaps in your windows, you can keep your areas well-ventilated and comfortable. When you need to crank up your AC, these minor lifestyle adjustments can certainly help you cut down your energy bills.
