Summer Energy Savings

August may be one of the hottest months of the year, but there’s a lot you can do to beat the heat while saving on energy costs. Here are some helpful tips to help you keep your cool:

Turn on Ceiling Fans

Air conditioning is a great way to bring down the temperature in your home or business, but it will also drastically increase your energy bill if you aren’t careful. Consider using an air conditioner only in the daytime … and make sure you close your windows to keep the cool air in and the hot air out. When the temperature drops at night, it’s time to open those windows up and turn on your ceiling fans to get the air circulating.

Use Air Conditioning Moderately

Soaring temperatures may tempt you to crank the AC, but it’s important to remember that the lower the house temp, the higher the electric bill. Did you know studies show that for every degree you set your air conditioner below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, you are using approximately 3-5 percent more energy? Setting your air conditioning temp just a few degrees higher can help to shave more than just a few dollars off your monthly bill.

Try Temporary Awnings

If you don’t want to make awnings a permanent addition to your home, you can always install temporary awnings to keep the sun out of south-facing windows. This will help to keep your home cooler in summer, and then you can remove the awnings to let the sunshine in during the cold winter months.

Get Casual

If you’re a small business owner, chances are you’ve experienced the sting of high AC bills during the hottest months of the year. One way to help alleviate the burn of high energy bills is to forget about casual Fridays and let your staff sport casual clothing all week long. Lightweight, comfortable clothing can help lower your AC bill and while making your employees more productive.