After mild spring temperatures, the summer heat hits hard, and the resulting electricity bills can be hard to stomach. Here are five ways to lower your electricity bill.
Replace your air filters regularly.
Air filters catch pollen, dust, lint and other debris and help circulate clear air throughout your HVAC system. They perform a critical function to help keep the HVAC system functioning properly and efficiently. A system with clean air filters uses less energy than a system with dirty filters. The less work your HVAC system has to do, the less energy it expends, and the less energy it expends, the lower your electric bill will be.
Check the temperature on your water heater.
Your water heater distributes hot water to sinks, showers, washers and dryers and dishwashers. Unless you have a tankless water heater, the water heater has a tank that maintains warm water at a temperature you designate. Lowering the temperature on your water heater can lower the total cost of your electricity bill. According to the Department of Energy, setting your water heater to 120°F (49°C) can save money on hot water and prevent scalding.
Check your doors and windows for leaks.
Taking actions such as caulking, weatherstripping and/or replacing seals on your windows and doors when needed will keep cold air from escaping or hot air from coming in. (Doing this work provides an equally critical function in cold weather, keeping warm air in and cold air from coming in.) Additionally, especially if you have younger children, make sure your exterior doors close easily. Otherwise, you may not realize just how often your doors are sitting slightly ajar, letting in hot air, requiring your HVAC system to work harder. You may also consider light filtering curtains or window tinting in rooms that receive constant direct sunlight.
Wash clothes in cold water and use your dryer efficiently.
Modern washing machines are designed to clean effectively in cold water. Though there may be occasions that warm or hot water is necessary to properly clean a load of laundry, when at all possible, wash your clothes in cold water. This doesn’t strain your water heater and can also extend the life of your clothes. Consider doing multiple loads of laundry at a time (instead of one or two a day). Your dryer stays warm and requires less energy to work as required.
Check that your appliances work properly.
Your refrigerator and other large appliances should be cleaned and repaired regularly to ensure they are working as efficiently as possible. Your HVAC system, which is the largest contributor to a household electric bill, benefits from regular maintenance to ensure it is working at peak efficiency (and to avoid costly repairs!).
At Beech Island Appliance Service Co., we offer air conditioning maintenance, installation and replacement, and repair, as well as large appliance repair for all major brands. Since we opened our doors in 1959, we’re proud to be your heating and cooling experts in Beech Island, Aiken, and North Augusta, SC, and across the CRSA.