Reduce Summer Energy Costs
Summer temps are here, and the heat not only takes a toll on your rental house, but on your electric and utility bills as well! Here are some of our tried & true tips to help keep those bills low!
The absolute biggest energy sucker are those cute historic windows! We recommend investing in light-colored curtains (they will deflect, not attract sunlight) and keep shades drawn on hot days to keep your AC from running constantly!
Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. In addition, if you’ll be out of town or have a “smart” thermostat, schedule it to be lower when you’re away (76-78°).
Utilize ceiling fans - when you’re in the room! A ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort. But be sure to turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room - they cool people, not rooms.
When you shower or take a bath, utilize the bathroom fan to remove heat and humidity from your home.
Avoid placing lamps or TV sets near your room air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
On hot days, avoid using the oven; cook on the stove, use a microwave oven, or grill outside.
Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
Take advantage of daylight instead of artificial lighting, but avoid direct sunlight.
Minimize activities that generate a lot of heat, such as running a computer, running a dishwasher, and using hot devices such as curling irons or hair dryers. Even stereos and televisions will add some heat to your home.
Add door sweeps or DIY-weatherstripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.
Vacuum registers regularly to remove any dust buildup. Ensure that furniture and other objects are not blocking the airflow through your registers.
Be sure you are maintaining your air-filters and changing them out every 90 days - doing so keeps your unit running as efficiently as possible.
If you notice there are some areas in your home that are out of your control but need a tune-up, ask us to:
Caulk around drafty windows and door jams
Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You'll not only save energy, you'll avoid scalding your hands.