Energy Saving Tips for Summer

Staying cool during the summer can be a challenge, especially if you’re trying to do it in an as cost-effective way possible. Here are a few of our tried and true tips to save energy, and most importantly – to stay cool and comfortable.

Of course, these questions are seasonal for all of us. In the Las Vegas desert where we are, we experience scorching summer temperatures and very low humidity, so take the tips as you need them and don’t be afraid to add your own down in the comments section!

1. Sometimes the easiest medicine, is prevention. Consider investing your money into preventative measures – like awnings and window screens – before cranking up the AC. It’s statistically about 10 degrees cooler in the shade, so getting your windows an awning or cover is the first step to cost-effective cooling.

2. Consider using some natural methods of prevention that will help beautify your yard at the same time – planting trees, shrubs, and bushes will help give you some much needed shade, and add a green touch to your yard. Remember – bushes and plants placed around the house have the added effect of insulation in the winter: we say, going green is one of the best steps you can take. (Don’t plant trees on the Southernmost side of the house if you want to benefit from their heat in the winter, though!)

3. Keep the house closed during the day, when it’s the hottest, and only open windows for ventilation at night. Going the added step to add some new insulating barriers to your windows and doorframes can help reduce lost cold air dramatically, keeping you cooler, longer.

4. Use ceiling fans and other low-power consumption devices when it gets too hot during the day. Installing a ceiling fan in the rooms that you spend the most time in during the day, like the living room or office, will go a long way in keeping the rooms cool.

5. This may go without saying – but dress for the occasion. Sometimes the difference between being comfortable is a matter of wearing shorts over pants indoors. Something as simple as this can save you hundreds of dollars in cooling per year if you consistently dress with your local climate in mind.

6. If you plan on buying a new air conditioner, pay close attention to the size of the AC in relative proportion to your house. Many AC units are oversized, effectively costing more to run where a smaller unit would have done just as well. You can contact an energy auditor for assistance in choosing an effective cooling unit for your home.

7. On the note of buying a new AC, if that’s your goal, always look an energy rating about 12 for seasonal AC units. This indicates that the unit is designed to produce more while using less power – which translates into money you could be saving.

8. If you go the preventative route and are installing window shades – consider the white solar shades over the traditional black shades, or mini blinds. These additions to your home can reduce heat from the sun up to 50%.

9. A new technique is to put exotic infills in your windows. This is a new technology that fills the space between the panes of glass with krypton or argon, gasses that have lower conductivity than air. Lower conductivity indicates that they transfer heat poorly, which is a high-tech way to keep your home cool.

10. If possible, try to provide shade for your AC unit. This can increase the efficiency of the unit up to 10%, and extends longevity by making sure key elements aren’t exposed for long periods to the sun.

11. During summer, try to clean your A/C filter at least once per month. Dust buildup can decrease airflow by about 1% a week, and over the course of the entire summer, especially when AC’s are running hard, this can be a substantial decrease of power – resulting in your AC running longer, harder, and less efficiently.

12. Turn off your A/C if you’re going to be gone for more than a few hours. Your house will stay plenty cool enough while you’re not home, and if it’s a little warm you can cool it back down by running the AC when you get in. Cooling a house that no one is in, is a waste of time and money, and you’ll see the effects in your billing statement.