It’s the perfect time for 10 summer energy saving tips. Unlike previous years, the current COVID-19 pandemic will no doubt change the way we live this summer. It’s likely that many of us in the San Francisco Bay Area will be spending more time at home. How can we save energy while enjoying the summer months? Here are 10 energy-saving tips, compiled by the ClimatePro team.
10 Summer Energy Saving Tips
Smart thermostat: One of the great summer energy saving tips, a smart thermostat like Nest can save you money during summer months. Instead of leaving your air conditioner on all day, a smart thermostat can be programmed to turn off when no one is home. You can also program it to turn on shortly before you get home. Some thermostats can even sense when no one is home or when the stove or over are being used.
LED Light bulbs: LED stands for light-emitting diode. LED lights last up to 25x longer than regular traditional incandescents. This means that you don’t have to replace them nearly as often. They also use up to 75% less energy, which saves you money at any time of the year. They also emit significantly less heat.
Cook outside: Investing in a barbeque or gas grill is a great way to save on your energy costs in the summer. Simply put, all that heat stays outside where it belongs. Isn’t eating barbeque one of the best perks of summer?
Unplug the tech: Add this to your summer energy saving tips list: unplugging any technology that you are not using to save on your electricity bill. This also applies to televisions and appliances not in use. Studies show that unplugging devices can save up to $200 dollars a year. Being mindful of this in the summer when everyone is home makes good sense.
Ceiling fan blade rotation: An energy-efficient ceiling fan is a great investment. It’s also important to make sure they are running in the right direction. During the summer, your fans should run counterclockwise, which forces air down which helps to cool off your home or office.
Check window and door seals: Make sure to check your windows and doors for damages seals and glazing. One way to test your seals is to conduct a smoke test. This is done by first closing all windows and doors. Next, turn on any kitchen and bathroom exhaust vents that are connected to an outside vent. This will create negative pressure in your house that will suck outside air inside through any cracks or openings. Next, hold a lit incense stick or a handheld lighter close to the edges of your windows and doors. Look for changes in the smoke or flame and fix those leaky seals.
Turn down the water heater: Since it’s hot and we tend to take showers to cool off, why not turn down the water heater in the summer? We might not think about it, but a water heater works to maintain water at a certain temperature 24 hours a day. By turning down the temperature, we naturally use less energy.
Wash clothes in cold water: Unless you are sanitizing clothes, washing in cold water can save you money on your energy bill. It’s surprising to discover that almost all clothes can be washed in cold water. In fact, some stains actually clean better in cold water compared to hot water.
Window coverings: Window coverings give you an opportunity to add style to your home and they can help to keep your home cool. Simply by closing the blinds or curtains, especially when you are leaving the house, you can keep sunlight out and the cool air in.
Window film: Last but not least, window film is a great product for reducing your energy bill in the summer. Window film can block out sunlight and reduce solar gain. It can also prevent damaging UVA rays from entering your home. It’s a great way to let the sunshine in while giving an energy-saving boost to your home.
ClimatePro has been the leading 3M window film installation experts in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 40 years. If you’re interested in the energy-saving benefits of window film for your home or business, contact us today for a free consultation. With offices in North Bay, San Francisco, and San Jose, we can be reached at (707) 569-9098.
