10 Energy-Saving Tips for Summer

Climate change is a reality, and our summers are getting hotter. For most people, this means cranking up the air conditioning. However, air conditioning uses a lot of energy and, therefore, money.

Likely, you don’t have money to waste, so we want to discuss a few terrific energy-saving tips for summer. These are all simple tips that will help you save energy monthly and yearly. They will therefore help cut down on your energy costs. So let’s get to it and help you save money.

Energy Saving Tips for Summer

1. Keep Curtains Closed

One of the easiest ways to save energy during the summer is to keep your curtains closed. Sunlight produces heat, and the more sunlight you let in, the more heat it will produce. Therefore, you can use blackout curtains or something similar.

This will significantly reduce the UV rays that enter your home. In addition, studies have found this can reduce the heat coming in through your windows by up to 24%.

You can always double up on regular curtains if you don’t want to invest in blackout curtains. There are also special window screens and films that achieve the same goal.

2. Pay Attention to Peak Rates

Electricity is more expensive during certain hours of the day than others. These are “peak times,” and they feature peak rates. Generally speaking, the middle of the day is when electricity will be the most expensive.

Early in the morning, late evening, and during the night is usually when electricity is the cheapest. These peak rates and peak hours depending on where you live.

Therefore use your appliances during off times to save money. The more electricity you use during peak times, the more it will cost. Not using appliances during peak times might not save energy, but it will save money.

3. Insulate and Seal Your Home

Your home itself is one of the biggest energy wasters. You are wasting energy if you have doors and windows that let the air out. You probably use air conditioning to keep your home at a reasonable temperature during the summer. And, if your doors and windows let the air out, they’re letting that cool air out.

This results in your air conditioning working harder to maintain the set temperature. Ensuring your home is well-insulated is essential when it comes down to it. You can replace old doors and windows that leak air. In addition, there are simple and affordable window sealing kits that you can purchase.

4. Make Sure the AC Filter is Clean

It is no secret that air conditioners use a good deal of electricity and also cost a good deal of money to operate. However, there are ways to make your air conditioning more efficient.

Your air conditioning unit has a filter that stops solid debris from getting into the unit. And, the dirtier this filter is, the harder your air conditioning has to work to force air through it. This uses more energy and wastes more money.

Dirty filters can also reduce the overall lifespan of your air conditioning unit. However, a clean air conditioner filter can help save money throughout the summer.

5. Building Your Home the Right Way – Your Windows

This tip is for people who are building a new home. If you live in the northern hemisphere, limiting the number of south-facing windows can be beneficial during the summer.

South-facing windows will usually let in the most sunlight, and the more sunlight gets into your home, the hotter it will be.

6. Use the Right Kind of Water Heater

You’ll probably still want to take a warm shower during the summer. However, your water doesn’t need to be quite as hot during the summer. People waste money because their water heaters are set too hot.

Did you know that water heating accounts for almost 20% of your monthly utility bill? So lowering the temperature by just a degree or two can help you save hundreds of dollars per year.

However, water heaters use a good deal of electricity. Therefore, consider purchasing an energy-efficient water heater. Some of the best energy-saving water heaters are tankless heaters. These can help you save up to $100 per year or more.

Moreover, taking a cold shower can slightly decrease your body temperature and help reduce the need for air conditioning once you get out of the bathroom.

Read also: Do Energy-Saving Devices Really Work?

7. Energy Efficiency Rebates

Many governments offer incentives if you renovate or remodel your home using energy-efficient building practices.

Government programs may cover all or a portion of your home renovations or appliance purchases – if you purchase energy-efficient appliances and use energy-efficient building methods.

You will still have to spend money to remodel your home or to buy appliances, but this will pay off in the long run. The rebates and the energy you save with energy-efficient practices will pay off.

8. Opening Windows During the Night

Whether this one works is questionable. However, if the outside temperature is cooler than the inside during the night, opening windows will help save energy.

Instead of using your air conditioning during the night, you can just open your windows. However, if the outside temperature is still hot at night, this will obviously not work.

9. Don’t Crank the AC

Your air conditioning will account for a significant portion of your monthly energy bill. We won’t tell you to completely get rid of your air conditioning unit, but you might consider turning it up a few degrees.

You can save up to 5% on your monthly energy bill by raising the thermostat by 1° Celsius. This means that if you increase the temperature in your home from 22° to 25°, you could save 15%.

This is perhaps the best energy-saving tip for the summertime. If you can stand the heat, get rid of the air conditioning unit. That will help save more money than anything else.

10. Use LED Lights

If you still use incandescent light bulbs, it’s time to get rid of them. Incandescent light bulbs produce a ridiculous amount of heat, and they can heat up your home by a fair amount. This will then compel you to crank up your air conditioning.

Compared to incandescent light bulbs, LED light bulbs use up to 75% less energy. So, they produce less heat and use less energy, to begin with.

Final Thoughts

Using the 10 tips above, you should be able to save a great deal of energy during the summer and save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars per year.