Summers in south Texas: they're sweltering hot (ok, so are the springs and autumns) with high electricity bills to match. With some extra care around the house, you can keep both your bills and your thermostat low.
First, have a certified technician come out to check that your ventilation, heating and air-conditioning is working efficiently. If there are any leaks in your ducts, this could reduce their energy-efficiency by about 20%. On average, the cost of these check-ups ranges anywhere from $50 to $100, but you could determine it's well worth spending to save yourself the money in the long run.
As much of a pain as it can be sometimes, replacing the air filters for your air conditioning unit is an absolute must as well. Layers of dirt, dust and even pet hair can clog the filter from allowing good air flow to come through. Air filters are cheap and are just one more inexpensive way to help you conserve more energy. If you use Microsoft Outlook or an online email and calendar client, simply set up a recurring reminder to change the filter according to the schedule recommended by your AC manufacturer.
If your appliances are needing an upgrade, purchasing energy-efficient models can be another great way to cut down your bill costs. Do you know how well your windows and door frames are sealed? It's a good chance that air may be escaping from both. If that's the case, sealing them up as soon as possible could save you another 20% on energy year-round. You can check out these figures on Alliance to Save Energy.
Avoiding chores until the evening time is also effective for cutting summer electricity bills. Instead of generating heat using the oven, your clothes dryer or dishwasher during the day, wait until the evening time when temperatures are at their coolest to give your air-conditioner a chance to "chill out".
Finally, here are three things that will take you a maximum of five to ten minutes: changing your light bulbs, use your ceiling fans and closing your blinds. Changing your lightbulbs from incandescent to compact fluorescents can cut your yearly energy costs down considerably. And instead of letting the sun shine through during the hot summer days, keep it cool by using your fans and keeping the blinds closed when in direct sun. It's as simple as that!
This is just a handful of ways that will help put more money back into your pocket. With these helpful steps and hints, it will work wonders to help lower your electricity bill. So why not start now?!
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