Summer Tips for Summer Saving

Energy Saving Tips

As the temperatures rise in the East Texas summer, more electricity is used in the home. To supply this higher demand, more electricity is purchased by URECC from generation plants. With all the co-ops and electric companies needing more power, generation companies must then produce more power for the supply. This production costs more money. That power cost increase is passed on to the purchaser (the co-op), and is reflected in the Power Cost Recovery Factor passed on to the members.

When the temperatures outside are hot, you use more electricity in your home at a time when power is more expensive. Efficiency in your power use is a must to control your power bill.

Below are a few tips to help you make every watt count:

1. Install a programmable smart thermostat. These devices allow you to set automatic temperature controls for maximum comfort and energy efficiency. They are excellent alternatives to air conditioning during hot summer months. You can adjust your thermostat from your smartphone should your schedule change and no one is at home.
2. Replace your air filter. Your HVAC system’s air filter gets a lot more use during the summer. Check it every thirty days throughout the summer and replace it when necessary.
3. Practice smart landscaping. Strategically planting shrubs and leafy trees near your home’s windows is an excellent way to prevent those same windows from transferring excess heat into your home.
4. Install exterior window coverings. Protect windows by adding awnings or screen shades to shade their exterior side. Sunlight through windows can warm your room by 10 degrees or more.
5. Update your home’s insulation. Pay close attention to your attic and the levels between your home’s conditioned and unconditioned spaces. Extra insulation can be added on top of existing material, but consider contacting a professional for appropriate installation and removal. Foam insulation has become a popular product in new homes due to its efficiency.
6. Use smart door techniques. When the air conditioner is on and running, every opened door and window leaks out valuable energy. Keep unnecessary trips to and from the house to a minimum to keep your energy bill similarly low.
7. Clean your refrigerator coils. Refrigerators can cause surprisingly high energy usage, especially when they’re not operating efficiently. To get the best performance from your unit, dust it off and clean those condensing coils.
8. Install ceiling fans in high-traffic rooms. Ceiling fans do not actually cool the temperature of the room, but the circulating air will make you feel cooler.
9. Search out and seal any air leaks. Stop cooling the outside by ensuring your home is properly sealed. Test the stripping and caulking around your doors and windows, and replace them when needed.
10. Call in the professionals. While many of these preparation tips can be easily done by a handy homeowner, have professionals service your AC unit, install airtight doors and energy-efficient windows, and even perform energy audits to identify areas that are costing you money.

Learn more about how to save year round!