Residential Energy Savings

Take a summer vacation from high-energy bills with these tips.

• Swimming pools are a wonderful part of summer but you should take a loo at some potential savings that get ignored.  Trim the hours of pump operation back to a minimum.  Figure out the bare minimum needed to keep the pool clean and grab the savings.  Also, the cover will keep the heat in.  Keep the cover on the pool when it is not being used and keep the heat in.
• Plating trees now for the summers ahead will provide energy saving shade in the near future.  Deciduous trees will also lose their leaves in the winter allowing the sun to shine through and help add a little heat to the home as well.
• Do the laundry… all at once.  It may sound silly but it will actually save money.  By doing load after load you don’t let the dryer cool down completely.  To really save some cash, hang clothes to dry outside.
• Pull the curtains away from vents and make sure furniture is not covering them as well.  Along with lamps placed too close to the thermostat these issues force your air conditioner to work more than it needs to.
• Consider a chimney cleaning.  Sounds crazy, we know.  However by doing it now you will avoid the wait that comes in the winter and may even see a savings due to off season rates.
• Your air conditioner and your conventional oven do not get along.  Consider summer BBQ’s, slow cookers, and even the microwave to make dinner.  Firing up the oven could add up to 30% more to energy bills.*

Keep your eyes peeled for these and other types of savings out there this summer.  Enjoying the weather is just that much better when you are saving money at the same time.

*Source: Progress Energy