It’s a pretty undeniable fact that our planet is getting hotter; it seems like each summer is hotter than the last, and no matter where you live, all-time heat records keep getting broken.

Not only is this uncomfortable (and worrying!), it also leads to increased energy costs in the summer as we all try to keep our homes cool and comfortable.

If you’re looking to save some money this summer, we’ve compiled a list of convenient ways to keep energy costs at a minimum without sacrificing your family’s comfort even on the hottest days of the year.

Stay up-to-date on HVAC maintenance

Scheduling regular maintenance of your HVAC system is one of the most important ways you can save on energy costs. It makes sense to ensure that your system is functioning as efficiently as it should!

Regular maintenance also means that you can catch any issues before they turn into real problems– which ultimately saves you money, time, and stress in the long run.

Also, make sure to change your air filter roughly every 90 days! A dirty filter reduces the amount of air that your HVAC system can move, and can result in inefficient cooling of your home. It also means that the unit has to work much harder for the same results, which definitely means an increase in your energy bills.

Use fans and AC together

Fans use a lot less energy than air conditioning and they can be used to effectively distribute cool air without needing to turn down the temperature on your thermostat.

Keep in mind that fans on their own don’t cool rooms– they just cool people. That means that it doesn’t help to keep a fan running when you’re not in the room. Maximize your energy efficiency by turning them off when you’re not around.

Keep AC turned up to a higher temperature

When it’s really hot out, keeping your AC set to a low temperature makes it work a lot harder. You don’t have to keep it turned up high enough to make your home uncomfortable, but even turning it up by a few degrees will help you save money!

Use energy-efficient lighting

This tip will help you save on energy costs all year long, but it’s particularly helpful in the summer. Energy-efficient light bulbs don’t give off excess heat, which helps to keep rooms cooler.

Plus, if you have a lamp with an incandescent bulb near your thermostat, it’ll cause your thermostat to read the room’s temperature as higher than it actually is– making your AC work harder than it needs to.

Turn down your water heater

You most likely don’t really need or want scalding-hot water in the summertime. Water heaters make up a significant percentage of the total energy usage in your home, and even turning yours down a little bit (we’d recommend 120-125° at most) will make your wallet thank you!

If you’ve got questions about energy usage and how investing in a standby generator for your home can help keep your family safe and comfortable, feel free to give us a call at 501-315-7213.