It’s been a sunny winter, which means this summer’s going to be drier than usual.
If you run a business in Pasco, Washington, you know that summers here are already bone-dry and hot, hot, hot. However, for those of you trying to keep your home livably cool, you understand how expensive the endeavor can be.
If your air conditioner has been working overtime over the last few years, you may be dreading your summer energy bills. However, fear not! There are ways to save energy in other areas of your home, to offset increased air conditioning use when temperatures rise. The following tips can make a huge difference in your bill and your peace of mind.
LED Lighting
Light emitting diodes, or LED, are considered solid-state lighting, and include semiconductors that transform electricity into light. Once upon a time, these bulbs were used only for indicator and traffic lights. However, today, they play a key role in general residential, commercial, and industrial illumination applications. Those qualified through ENERGY STAR use a mere 20%-25% of the energy of halogen incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer.
You can purchase LED’s in 40W, 60W, and 75W, to accommodate differing needs. LED’s require an up-front investment, but soon save you money due to their long-lasting nature and low energy requirements.
Use Lighting Timers
Want to be sure your lighting isn’t working when it doesn’t have to? One way to make sure is to install a lighting timer, which turns your lights on in the morning and off during the day, when no one is home and when natural lighting is sufficient for most activities.
Unplug Appliances That Aren’t In Use
Believe it or not, appliances that are plugged in, even if they are off, use energy. Computers and television sets also use large amounts of power and should be unplugged when not in use. The same goes for sound systems and speakers, phone chargers, kitchen appliances, and hair dryers. Utilizing a power strip with a switch can help you cut the power to multiple appliances immediately, without having to unplug each one.
You may even want to stop the use of appliances like dryers during the warmest months, and hang your clothes to dry outside. You’ll thank yourself when you get your bill.
Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances
If you are truly focused on saving money over the long haul, investment in energy-efficient appliances may be an excellent choice. Newer models are now designed to conserve energy, reduce your carbon footprint and household costs. To be sure you get the best model, look for “Energy Star” ratings on any appliances you are researching. Doing so will help you to determine how much energy the appliance uses, when compared with your current model. While these appliances are more expensive up front, you will earn back any money you lose in energy savings.
Summers in Pasco are no joke. Be ready to shift the energy reserves in your home to accommodate the power needed to keep your space comfortable. With a few small changes, you’ll enjoy reading over your lower energy bill from the pleasant cool of your home.
Want more tips for saving energy this summer? Contact Prairie Electric today!
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