What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about summer? Of course, there’s the bright sunshine and cool breeze that brings ample opportunities to spend time outdoors. Then there’s the abundance of fresh produce available in local markets.
But if you’re a homeowner, chances are you’re already breaking a sweat thinking about your electricity bill.
While the warm summer days offer a welcome break after the ice-cold winter nights, they also necessitate the use of air conditioning.
If your energy bill has gone through the roof during summer more often than you can remember, you’re not alone.
It’s a struggle that plagues most homeowners across the globe. And it’s become a bigger challenge with people spending more time at home owing to the pandemic, as well as the recent spate of heat waves across the U.S. and Canada.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t beat the heat without spending a fortune.
Simple lifestyle adjustments and a few changes to your home can go a long way to minimize your energy bill.
Apart from saving your hard-earned money, it reduces your carbon footprint and is better for the environment too.
In this blog, we’ll discuss a few simple ways of minimizing your household’s energy consumption and electricity bill during summer. Let’s get started.
1. Get an Energy Audit
Most energy providers offer a free energy audit for homeowners to help them understand how the energy flow in their property works.
It can help you identify cracks and gaps in doors/windows that cause cool air to leak out.
Also, you can figure out other ways to boost thermal insulation and reduce your energy consumption.
It’s a good idea to contact your energy company and ask about an energy audit right away.
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2. Check the Air Conditioning
Are you one of those people who is overwhelmed with guilt and stress every time you turn on the air conditioning?
You can’t decide whether you’re more worried about increasing greenhouse gas emissions or sending your electricity bill through the roof.
But let’s face it – surviving the scorching summer heat without an AC isn’t practical. Instead, you need to take suitable measures to optimize its energy efficiency.
It’s wiser to get your air conditioning thoroughly cleaned and serviced at the start of every summer.
Instead of relying on a local handyman, make sure you get in touch with a professional service provider experienced in repairing domestic air conditioning systems.
They’ll check and clean the AC vents and filters to ensure maximum efficiency. You can visit https://www.climate-environmental.co.uk/ to gather more information.
Alternatively, if you’ve been using the same AC for many years, it might be a good idea to get an upgrade.
Make sure you get an Energy Star certified air conditioner with a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) rating.
3. Minimize AC Usage
Even if you get the most energy-efficient AC and maintain it, regular usage will adversely impact your energy consumption.
The good news is that there are various ways to cut down your AC usage without sweating in the sweltering heat.
For instance, you could use a programmable thermostat to automatically crank up the cooling just before you’re going to reach home.
It’ll result in significant energy savings throughout the day when you’re not at home.
Similarly, if you live in a region that’s blessed with the cool summer breeze, consider sleeping with your windows open.
Raise the AC temperature throughout the day, and turn it off before bedtime. It’ll ensure that your bedroom remains cool and comfortable at night.
If you’re still struggling to cut down your electricity bill, check for possible flaws in the insulation.
Add weather stripping to doors and windows to prevent the cool air from leaking out. Also, cover glass windows with dark blinds and curtains during the day to prevent your home from heating up.
Another clever idea is to use ceiling fans to improve indoor air circulation. You could also use table fans to accentuate the effect of the cool summer breeze.
Adding indoor plants to your living space is another cost-effective way of lowering the temperature. It amps up the visual appeal of your home too.
4. Take the Kitchen Outdoors
Spending more time outdoors during summer is a no-brainer. Chances are you’ve already created a spectacular outdoor dining space to enjoy meal time with your family. It’s the perfect setting for hosting a Sunday brunch or cocktail party as well.
But if you’re still doing most of your cooking indoors, you’ll end up raising the temperature by a few degrees.
That means you’ll need to keep the AC on for longer and ultimately, deal with a hefty electricity bill.
You can avoid that scenario altogether by setting up an outdoor kitchen in your backyard.
It could be as simple as parking your BBQ grill and gas stove in a corner. Or you could build a full-fledged kitchen with a proper countertop and storage.
5. Time Your Electricity Usage
That’s right! Your energy bill depends on what time of the day you’re using the maximum electricity.
Ideally, you should avoid using large appliances, such as a dishwasher and washing machine, during peak hours. Instead, you should use these appliances early in the morning or late at night for maximum savings on your electricity bill.
Whether you’re living in a lavish bungalow or an apartment, there are various ways to control your energy consumption during summer.
The key is to break free from the mindset of staying curled up in an air-conditioned room throughout the day. Also, show your AC some much-needed TLC to improve its energy efficiency.
