Thursday, June 11, 2009
Summer Time Savings for Seniors
Summer Arrives June 21, Are You Ready?
Summer is no fun if you are worrying about high electric bills. Here are a few tips to reduce those power bills so you can enjoy the season.
· For big savings, cool your house to 78 degrees or your highest comfortable temperature. If your are away, set the thermostat to 80-83 degrees.
· If you have ceiling fans, run them when you are in the room and the air conditioner at the same time. The movement of the air will help keep you cool.
· Close shades, drapes, or blinds during the day to block out sun rays.
· Change the air conditioner’s air filter regularly. A clogged filter requires more energy to circulate the air.
· Turn off appliances, lights and equipment when not in use.
· Unplug electronic devices and chargers when they aren’t in use. Most new electronics use electricity even when switched to “off”. Make it easy and plug all your electronic devices into a power strip. Then you only have to switch off the power strip.
· Use the automatic dry cycle on your dryer. Over-drying wastes energy and wears out your clothes. Be sure to clean the dryer lint filer screen regularly. Better yet, if you have a clothes line use.
· Use a microwave instead of the range/oven. A microwave doesn’t heat up the kitchen.
· Your dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand. Allow dishes to air dry.
· Keep your fridge full. Having lots of food in your refrigerator keeps it from warming up too fast when the door is open. And don’t just stand there with the door open.
· Close your fireplace damper!
· Turn off lights as you leave a room, especially in summer. Lights add a lot of heat to the room.
Now you have extra money for some summer fun. Enjoy!
Resources:
Flex Your PowerUS Department of Energy – Saving TipsCalifornia Consumer Energy Center
Nancy Worrell is author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Backyard Adventures and contributed to The Unofficial Guide to the Southeast with Kids. Nancy recently moved to Tallahassee, Florida so she could explore her backyard with three adventurous granddaughters.
Nancy Worrell © 2009
Summer is no fun if you are worrying about high electric bills. Here are a few tips to reduce those power bills so you can enjoy the season.
· For big savings, cool your house to 78 degrees or your highest comfortable temperature. If your are away, set the thermostat to 80-83 degrees.
· If you have ceiling fans, run them when you are in the room and the air conditioner at the same time. The movement of the air will help keep you cool.
· Close shades, drapes, or blinds during the day to block out sun rays.
· Change the air conditioner’s air filter regularly. A clogged filter requires more energy to circulate the air.
· Turn off appliances, lights and equipment when not in use.
· Unplug electronic devices and chargers when they aren’t in use. Most new electronics use electricity even when switched to “off”. Make it easy and plug all your electronic devices into a power strip. Then you only have to switch off the power strip.
· Use the automatic dry cycle on your dryer. Over-drying wastes energy and wears out your clothes. Be sure to clean the dryer lint filer screen regularly. Better yet, if you have a clothes line use.
· Use a microwave instead of the range/oven. A microwave doesn’t heat up the kitchen.
· Your dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand. Allow dishes to air dry.
· Keep your fridge full. Having lots of food in your refrigerator keeps it from warming up too fast when the door is open. And don’t just stand there with the door open.
· Close your fireplace damper!
· Turn off lights as you leave a room, especially in summer. Lights add a lot of heat to the room.
Now you have extra money for some summer fun. Enjoy!
Resources:
Flex Your PowerUS Department of Energy – Saving TipsCalifornia Consumer Energy Center
Nancy Worrell is author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Backyard Adventures and contributed to The Unofficial Guide to the Southeast with Kids. Nancy recently moved to Tallahassee, Florida so she could explore her backyard with three adventurous granddaughters.
Nancy Worrell © 2009
Labels: Great Savings Tips, Household Savings, Summer Savings
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]