The temperature is steadily rising and often spikes, but your electricity bill doesn’t have to this season. The struggle between staying cool and being fiscally responsible with your energy bill can take its toll. Luckily, there are many tricks of the trade that your favorite handyman (Schedule Fred) is ready to share with you.
- Don’t Let Cool Air Escape
For some reason, it seems that cool air strays in the summer and lingers in the winter. One way to curb this is to make sure that every possible exit is sealed. Door openings and cracks in window sills will make your air conditioning unit work harder to keep those interiors chilled. Do yourself a favor and close the cracks.
- Unplug unused electronics
There is nothing worse than a free-loader and in this case we are referring to those gadgets that are gobbling up energy while not in use. If you forget to unplug your coffee maker, phone, or DVD player, a socket adapter that has an automatic shut-off timer would be beneficial. Either way, shutting off electronics after use goes a long way in saving money.
- Skip the dryer
Did you know that the clothes dryer takes up about 40% of electricity use in the average household? This is partly due to outdated technology. If possible, use a clothes line to dry a few loads a month in the summer or spread out your washing cycle to save a few dollars. This is a great way to conserve energy and stay cool.
- Turn off the Lights
Whenever you exit a room, you should turn off the light. A bright room attracts heat and causes more energy consumption. If you need to give yourself a reminder, place notes next to the switch or install a motion censored shut off switch.
The most important thing to remember is to avoid excess. These simple tips can help save you money but also impact our environment. We hope you find these tips useful on your quest to save money and beat the heat this summer! If you need any additional help, feel free to call Schedule Fred and our consultants will assist you with your next money-saving project.