Creative Ways to Save on Energy Costs

Summertime electricity bills making you sweat?

Take the heat off with these hacks:

Rethink your roof – Is your roof wearing black in ninety-degree weather? Install a sunlight-reflecting “cool roof” and reduce your roof’s temperature by up to 60 degrees. You’ll slash your AC use by 20%!

Keep your cool – Those big appliances generate lots of heat! Try running your washing machine and dishwasher at night, when it’s cooler out.

Seal all leaks – Most homes in the United States don’t have enough insulation and have significant air leaks. In fact, if you added up all the leaks, holes and gaps in a typical home, it would be the equivalent of having a window open every day of the year! Caulk and re-seal all windows and external doors.

Get smart! – By installing a smart thermostat, your home will be programmed to cool off at exactly the times you need. Best of all, you can control the settings even when you’re away from home. No more cooling off empty rooms!

Pull the plug – There are certain devices that still suck up power even after they are turned off. Save on vampire energy costs by pulling the plug on electronics when you’re not using them.

Fire up the grill – If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen! An oven cranked up to 350° or a flaming stove-top makes your AC work harder. Keep the heat out by grilling your dinner outdoors.

Go Solar – Powering your home with solar panels is better for the environment than using fossil fuels and can reduce your reliance on the grid. If you’d love to go green on your home’s energy but can’t afford solar, consider leasing the panels instead of buying them. 

Plant some trees and shrubs – Trees are a whole lot more than oxygen-breathing beauties; they’re also key to trimming your electricity bill. Take a look at your home’s exterior walls. If there are west-facing windows, you’re likely to get loads of sunlight each afternoon, ultimately heating up your home. By planting trees or shrubs in front of some of these windows, you will lower your energy use in a clean green way.