Going green can be challenging when faced with outside factors. However, when it comes to making energy saving decisions, there’s no better place to start than in your own home. Beyond the well known tips such as unplugging electronics when they’re not in use and making sure the lights are out in rooms that are unoccupied, there are even more ways to not only save energy but also save you money.
Energy.gov provides a list of lesser known tips to keep your home cool in the Central Texas summer without making your electric bills sky rocket.
A great way to start saving both energy and money is to switch your lightbulbs from incandescent to compact florescent bulbs (CFLs) which can save 75 percent in energy and 10 percent in costs. The bulbs also last longer, so you’ll save in replacements as well.
Your thermostat is the biggest area to concentrate on. Try to avoid placing lamps or televisions near the thermostat as it will sense the heat and work harder than necessary to cool your home. When you do set the AC, setting it to 78 degrees rather than 72 will save 6 to 18 percent in energy costs. If that seems a little high when the temperature outside is over 100, try running overhead fans which can make a home up to 4 percent cooler.
Small home improvement projects can also help to keep costs and consumption low. Planting trees in strategic places to cover windows can save between $150 and $200 per year. Inspecting and properly sealing the duct system outside can also save about 20 percent of energy annually. Another simple change is to get a programmable thermostat to set the temperature when you’re out, at home, or asleep to save up to $150 a year.
With so many small switches and fixes, saving energy in the dead of summer will be a piece of cake.