Monday, July 02, 2018

While jumping into a pool or lake this summer may help you cool off, your home is a whole different story. As many of us work to cool or homes, we unfortunately also spike our utility bills. Below are several tips from Lauren Youngdahl Snyder, Consumers Energy's vice president of customer experience, on limiting energy use even on the hottest days.  

Clean the filter regularly. Dusty filters make your air conditioner work harder.

Set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you're home and higher when you're away. Install an automatic setback or programmable thermostat that starts your air conditioner shortly before you get home.

Close drapes, shades and blinds during the day to prevent the sun from heating your home unnecessarily.

Open windows and doors in early morning and in the evening to let cooler air in.

Make sure to seal and insulate your home. Reducing air leakage can be just as important to keep cool in the summer as to stay warm in the winter.

Operate your stove, oven, dishwasher and clothes dryer in the morning or evening when it's cooler outside. They add extra heat to your home and make your air conditioner work harder.

Keep cool with fans. A ceiling fan cools fast and costs less than air conditioning. You can also reduce the need for air conditioning by installing an attic fan.

Replace or tune up your old air conditioning equipment and receive rebates ranging from $50 to $500.

Source: www.ConsumersEnergy.com

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