Summer is the time for outdoor fun in the sun. When the sun is out and the weather is beautiful, nobody wants to spend time stuck indoors. This means you probably don’t want to see a high electric bill for a home that’s probably sitting empty while you’re out barbecuing or lounging in the pool. Help keep your energy costs low this summer by following these simple tips.
Change your Bulbs
If you’re using outdated light bulbs, you could be losing money on your monthly electric bill. That’s because older bulbs tend to use up more energy. Swap out those old, dated bulbs in favor of some LEDs, which are designed to be more energy efficient. A bonus is their shelf life, as LEDs tend to last longer before needing to be swapped out.
Enjoy Doing Your Laundry
Nobody enjoys doing laundry, but you might enjoy it just a little more if you knew you were saving money on each load you wash. Washing your clothes in cold water gets them just as clean as they would if you washed them in hot water, so swap out that scalding wash for a cold water. Instead of tossing your clothes in the dryer, put them out on the line just like grandma did to save even more on your laundry. Letting them air dry can save you tons of money over using your dryer, which tends to suck up more energy than most appliances. Plus, there’s nothing quite like that line-dried scent on your clothes.
Get Grilling
Another way you can improve energy-efficiency this summer is to give your oven a rest and crack open your grill. Using your grill for your cooking allows your oven to stay off and your house to stay cool, which are both great ways to lower your monthly energy bill. You’ll have a great excuse to host a barbecue and your wallet will thank you at the same time.
Set your Thermostat
If you aren’t going to be home, it doesn’t make much sense to leave your air conditioner running all day. Cooling an empty home is an easy way to ring up your monthly energy bill. Instead, program your thermostat so it only runs when you’re going to be home. You won’t have to worry about being uncomfortable and you can save money in the process.
Unplug Appliances
Summer is a great time to head out of town with the family on a road trip or vacation. However, when you aren’t home, there’s no reason to leave your appliances plugged in if nobody is going to be around to use them. Before you head out the door, unplug your appliances and save some extra cash on your next month’s energy bill.
Keep the Door Closed
Mom was right— opening and closing doors and windows can let in hot air, making your air conditioner work overtime and your cooling bill go up. Don’t make your air conditioner work extra hard to cool your home and keep those doors closed if you aren’t using them.
Using these tips, you should be able to keep your money in your pocket this summer, which can come in handy when back-to-school shopping comes around.
