Our warm Ohio summers may not be the hottest in the country, but the high humidity that accompanies them guarantees we’ll be using the air conditioner pretty much continuously till fall. And while we all expect a bit of a jump in our utility costs in summer, there’s no reason to let them go out of sight. These energy saving tips can actually make a big difference in your summertime bills, so give them a try.
Schedule an Energy Audit
How energy efficient is your home? The best way to find out is to schedule an energy audit. By conducting a thermographic scan for hot and cool spots, as well a blower door test to find air leaks, you’ll know where to air seal your home.
You might even try your own audit, by waving a smoke pencil around windows and doors, recessed lighting, electrical plugs and exterior entrances for wires, cables or plumbing to find leaks. If the smoke wavers, you have a leak.
Air seal your home with caulk, weatherstripping and insulation.
Make the Most of Nighttime Breezes
When nights are cool, you can turn off the A/C and fling open the windows to let the breezes in. Open windows on the windward and leeward sides of the home, so that the breeze is drawn through the home.
Enlist the Thermostat to Help With Energy Savings
Turning the thermostat up a few degrees in summer can make a big difference in your bills. Keep the temperature as high as is comfortable when the home’s occupants are awake and moving about; turn it down a few degrees at night or when people are away. A programmable thermostat will do this automatically, so you don’t have to remember.
Install Ceiling Fans
Fans don’t make a room cooler, but they sure make us feel cooler. Blades should be moving counterclockwise in the summer to circulate cool air from the A/C. Turn the fan off when you leave the room.
For more energy-saving tips, contact Ace Hardware Home Services. We’ve been family-owned and operated in Dayton since 1978.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Ondrej Supitar/StockSnap”
