How To Save on Electricity This Summer

The summer months tend to be the most costly when it comes to your energy bill as your AC is working to get your home cooled and keep you comfortable. We know that not using your air conditioning is simply not an option, so we may need to get creative!  

As we head into the warmest months of the year, you’ll want to be prepared! Luckily, Axiom Power is here to help with these energy-saving tips to save you money this summer. 

1) Check For Any Necessary Maintenance On Your AC Unit  

Before the summer months arrive, you should always check up on your AC unit to ensure it can run properly. If your air conditioning unit has a clogged filter, that alone can increase the energy being used to run your AC by 5-15 percent.  

Not to mention, you will also be doing your future self a favor by keeping your AC properly maintained, preventing any costly repairs or replacements. 

2) Use Less Energy During “Peak” Hours 

Be mindful of the time of day that you are using the most energy in your home. Electricity companies charge more during “peak hours” which tends to be in the evenings when the average family is home from school and work, from 4 pm to 8 pm.  

Plan to do your laundry, cook, or wash dishes in the off-peak hours to ensure you’re using less energy during peak times.  

3) Unplug Unused Devices 

It’s easy to keep your devices plugged in and forget about it. Phone chargers, laptop chargers, computers, and televisions all use “phantom” or “vampire” energy when plugged into a standard outlet or power strip.  

Be mindful of what is plugged in while not in use and create a habit of unplugging these devices before walking away. If this sounds like a difficult habit to obtain, consider investing in smart power strips to help reduce the costs of “phantom” electricity that your devices and regular power strips use. 

4) Adjust Your Thermostat 

As tempting as it is to hit that down arrow on your thermostat during the summer months, it’s best to avoid lowering the temperature too low. Our best advice is to keep the temperature at a level to keep you just comfortable enough to not feel too hot.  

Keep your thermostat below 80 degrees at all times but never below 70-72 degrees. Your AC unit will need to work extra hard to bring down the temperature from 80 or above if set that high and will also have trouble keeping it lower than 70-72 on particularly hot days.  

Although using a fan won’t lower your bill directly, sitting under a fan can lower the temperature by about 5 degrees! 

Read More > Can a Ceiling Fan Really Save You Money? 

5) Provide Shade 

Shade can provide what feels like a 10-15 degree difference compared to direct sunlight. Strategically plant shrubs and trees on the south and west sides of your home where the sunlight would normally be hitting your home.  

Not everyone can plant a tree outside each window though, but putting blackout curtains on your windows can drastically reduce the heat that enters your home. You even provide shade over your A/C unit itself to help it run more efficiently. 

6) Close Doors And Vents 

When your air conditioning is being directed in rooms and spaces that are not in use, you are wasting energy and your money. Always close the doors and vents to rooms or spaces that no one is using. This way, you’ll be comfortable and cool and your AC won’t be working extra hard to cool unused areas of your home.  

7) Use Your Water Heater Less Often 

Your water heater takes up about 18 percent of the energy expended in your home. Generally, lowering the temperature of your water heater itself can save energy.  

Luckily, in the summer months, you can take cooler showers comfortably. When doing laundry, stick to cold water and even hang drying to save more on your energy bills. 

8) Switching to LEDs 

By swapping out your light bulbs for LEDs, you can spend 6x less on the cost of lighting. We have a full breakdown in the article below: 

Read More > The Best Places in Your Home for LED Lighting  

Save Money This Summer With Axiom Power 

Following these tips, you can help detour that scary summertime electric bill. From shading your home to new light bulbs, there are many ways to save on electricity! Still have a high bill? Contact Axiom Power to learn what may be causing your high electric bills, and what you can do to change this.   

Whether residential or commercial, Axiom Power is here to help with all your electrical needs. Give us a call today to see how we can help. Here at Axiom Power, we believe there are no problems, only solutions!