Here in beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona, we are fortunate to have only a few hot months out of the year. But those months can get hot, especially when most homes don’t have AC! With air conditioners or plug-in units running full blast, many households struggle to keep the house cool without spending a fortune on electricity! The summer months often bring about a significant spike in energy consumption, which can be stressful for the pocketbook. We have a couple of tips to help you stay cool and comfortable while saving on your energy bill during the summer months in Northern Arizona.
Understanding Energy Consumption During Summer Months
As June and July roll around, our energy use on energy-consuming appliances and systems also goes up, which drives up electricity bills, especially when it comes to air conditioners or plug-in AC units.
You might not know this, but other appliances must work hard to keep things cool during summer. Refrigerators, freezers, and fans kick into high gear to keep things cool, which will also increase your electricity bill.
The first step is recognizing which appliances are increasing the cost of your electricity bill. Once you know what those appliances are, then you can start to implement energy-efficient practices and teach your household how to reduce the electricity bill in the summertime while still staying cool!
Energy-Efficient Practices for Cooling Your Home
Here are some energy-efficient tips to keep your house cool during those intense summer days!
- Only run your air conditioners when absolutely necessary and set the thermostat to a moderate temperature, ideally around 78°F.
- We recommend investing in programmable thermostats, which allows you to adjust settings based on your schedule to avoid unnecessary cooling when no one is home.
- Another idea is to take a look at your home’s insulation. You’ll want to seal any drafts and add insulation to attics, walls, and crawl spaces in areas that the insulation has broken down to help prevent cool air from escaping.
- This is especially important to take a look at if you live in an older home.
- You can also strategically use fans to improve air circulation and distribute cool air more effectively throughout your home.
- A pro tip would be to open up your windows in the evenings and turn off your air conditioner.
- Regular maintenance of your air conditioning unit, such as cleaning or replacing filters and scheduling tune-ups, will keep your air conditioner running efficiently throughout the summer months.
- Lastly, take advantage of those monsoons whenever they decide to roll in! Open up your windows and let in the cool air!
Optimizing Appliance Usage
When it comes to major appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and dryers, try to run them during off-peak hours to minimize the strain on the electrical grid. Not to mention taking advantage of lower energy rates during those times. To learn the times your electricity provider considers “off peak” login to your online portal and there’s usually a helpful graph with that information.
Another idea that might seem “old fashioned” is to put up a clothesline and consider air-drying clothes instead of using the dryer whenever possible to save energy and reduce indoor heat.
With your refrigerators, take a peek at the seals and make sure they are tight. You also might want to pull the fridge back from the wall and check to see if the coils are covered in dust or pet hair. Clean coils will increase efficiency!
Are your appliances a little old and dated? You might be overspending on your energy bill simply by not investing in upgraded energy-efficient appliances. They’ll pay for themselves over the life of the appliance.
Implementing these strategies and making mindful choices about when and how to use appliances can help effectively lower your energy usage and lessen the impact on your wallet and the environment.
Energy-Efficient Home Improvements
The easiest place to start making energy-efficient home improvements is to replace traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED light bulbs, which use significantly less electricity and last 10x as long.
If you live in an older home, you might want to invest in energy-efficient windows and doors to help prevent heat transfer. This will keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
Another thing to consider is solar solutions. Rooftop solar panels will decrease reliance on grid electricity – you might even be lucky enough to get money back on low-energy usage months!
In addition, implementing energy-saving habits like turning off lights when not in use and unplugging electronics can make a big difference over time. All these steps will help you save money on your electricity bill and, as a bonus, be really beneficial for the environment too!
Partnering with Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions
Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions is here and ready to help you reduce your energy bills! Our electricians can help with things like LED lighting installation and energy-efficient appliance upgrades, providing homeowners with cost-effective solutions for enhancing residential energy efficiency.
Our team here at Northern Arizona Electrical Solutions is licensed, bonded, and insured for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here for you 24/7!
