So we all know that, but we don't often see how much we can save by doing small things. Below is an abbreviated list of things you can do to save money.
Cooling
- Of course, the best way to reduce your air conditioning bills is to reduce heat in your home, especially during summer months. Stoves, ovens, dehumidifiers, refrigerators etc.
- Keep doors and windows closed when air conditioning is on.
- Turn off kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans when your air conditioning is operating.
- Be sure your filters are clean.
- They should be checked monthly. Coils of an outdoor unit should be free of debris and not blocked by plants, shrubs, etc.
- Be sure the return air grill inside your house is not blocked by furniture or other items. (If you have more than one return, check them all.) A return needs a free flow of air for the air conditioning to operate most efficiently.
- Use a ceiling fan or portable fan to supplement your air conditioning.
- A fan can make you feel three to four degrees cooler (and only costs a half-cent per hour to operate) so you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher and save on cooling costs.
- Significant truism – Use fans in occupied rooms since fans cool people, not rooms.
- For central air conditioning systems, keep the fan switch on your thermostat in the "auto" position when cooling.
- This gives you better cooling and humidity control. Having the fan switch "on" continuously could cost $25 extra a month on your electric bill.
Miscellaneous
- Microwave ovens draw less than one-half the power of a conventional oven and foods cook in about one-fourth the time, greatly reducing cooking costs.
- Turn off the oven about 15-20 minutes before the end of cooking time. The leftover heat in the oven will finish the job, if you don’t open the oven door.
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Turn your stove and range down to a simmer as soon as food or water begins to boil. This setting maintains cooking temperature, cooks food more evenly and saves energy.
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Resist the temptation to open the oven door to check on food while it’s cooking. Each time you open it, 25 percent of the oven’s heat is wasted.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights whenever possible.
- A 16cu. Ft., auto-defrost Freezer costs about $9 per month to run & an 18 cu. Ft., auto-defrost Refrigerator/Freezer costs about $13.50 per month to run representing about 15% of your energy usage.
John Hensrud – Email– Twin Cities Realtor
