Taking Charge Of Your Energy Bills As The Temperature Rises

Taking Charge Of Your Energy Bills As The Temperature Rises

If the upcoming heat of summer has you concerned about your energy bills, take some time to lower the cost of cooling your home. You don’t need to spend a lot to rein in your cooling costs, and your efforts will trim your electric bill.

Here are a few low-cost methods of keeping your energy costs down this summer:

• As the temperature climbs, change your cooking habits. Use the microwave more often or take advantage of slow cookers. Use the oven sparingly, and if you must bake, consider using the barbecue or a toaster oven.
• Run the dishwasher only when it’s full and let the dishes air dry.
• Keep the freezer and refrigerator full. If you don’t have enough food to fill either, freeze ice cubes or keep pitchers of water in the refrigerator. Full freezers and refrigerators use less electricity, since the thermal value of the food holds cold longer than air does.
• Clean or replace the filter for your air handler. Nothing drives up energy bills faster than running your air conditioner with a clogged filter.
• Use warm or cold water to wash your clothes. The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that heating your water comprises approximately 10 percent of your energy bills. Most detergents are formulated for cold-water use.
• Check your home for air infiltration. Seal leaks between the window frames and your exterior with caulk and add new weatherstripping to the exterior doors to stop drafts.
• Replace your incandescent light bulbs with CFLs or LEDs. Besides throwing off less heat, these bulbs use a fraction of the electricity that standard bulbs use, and they last much longer.
• Hang shade screens over your exterior windows. Shade cloth blocks substantial heat and UV rays, while letting you see outside.
• Have your air conditioner inspected and serviced to lower your energy bills. The DOE estimates that half your energy costs go toward cooling and heating your home. Not only does professional service and maintenance lower your utility costs, it also lengthens the life of your equipment.

If you’d like to cut your energy bill this summer, contact Air-Tro. We’ve been providing HVAC services in the Los Angeles region for over 40 years, and we can help you find ways to save.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about energy bills and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

Air-Tro Inc. services the greater Los Angeles area as well as the metro areas of Riverside and San Bernardino County.