How to Save Energy During the Spring
As the heat index begins to increase in the spring, it starts to become harder to keep your home cool. In the spring, depending on where you live, if you have to use your air conditioner, it has to work harder, which can cause your electric bill to go up in the warmer months. But, there are ways to save energy during the spring. Here are some tips.
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Open your Windows
When you open your windows, you create a cross breeze which allows you to cool your home naturally without having to turn your AC unit on. Opening your windows during the spring is a good tactic for staying cool when temperatures are mild.
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Install Window Treatments
Window treatments that are energy efficient or coverings like shades, blinds and films can cut heat gain when there’s a rise in temperatures. These devices not only reduce your energy costs, but they also improve the appearance of your home.
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Use Ventilation Strategies and Fans to Cool your Home
If you use your AC unit, you can actually switch to using a ceiling fan which allows you to increase your thermostat setting to around 4 degrees F with no decrease in comfort. Go for Energy Star ceiling fans. When you plan on leaving the room for a while, turn the ceiling fan off. Fans don’t cool rooms — just people, so leaving them on does no good.
When bathing or showering, use the bathroom fan for removing humidity and heat from your home. You may also benefit from spot ventilation in your laundry room.
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Use a Whole House Fan
Speaking of fans, why not invest in a whole house fan? A whole house fan ventilates your entire home and brings in cool, fresh air from the outdoors while exhausting hot, stuffy indoor air outdoors. You don’t even need to use your air conditioner when using a whole house fan.
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Consider LED Lighting
Once you’ve blocked the sun out, you may find you’re turning more lights on than normal. But, you want to consider the type of lights you use carefully. Incandescent bulbs will actually turn a great deal of energy they use into heat. You may want to consider using LED bulbs instead which use a lower wattage to operate and generate only half the heat. They also use less energy and last much longer than traditional bulbs which saves you money on replacement costs and electricity.
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Don’t Heat the Home with Appliances
Avoid cooking on the stove on hot days. Instead, consider grilling outdoors or even using your microwave oven. Wash only full loads of clothes or dishes. You might want to consider air drying both your clothes and dishes. Take shorter showers.
Minimize using devices that produce a lot of heat like running your computer, running a dishwasher, or using hot devices like hair dryers or curling irons. Even televisions and stereos will produce heat in your home.
Educate yourself on things that heat your home. Be aware of the way you’re cooling your home. Consider other alternatives than your AC unit. These are all just some ways to save energy during spring.