The summer months are great for camping, family barbecues or just enjoying the warm weather. Summer months can also dramatically increase your electric bill. Between running the A/C and the kids being home for summer break, you can really break the budget just on electricity.
Thankfully, there are ways to save on your utilities during the summer. If you want to cut down your utilities this summer make sure to follow the tips below. Remember even just saving a few dollars a month is still a savings!
How to Save on Utilities in the Summer
Use a programable thermostat. Using a programable thermostat is an easy way to cut down your energy usage. When you leave the home turn the temperature up higher so that your A/C doesn't kick on as much. Sure, the house might be a little warm when you get home but it only takes a few minutes to cool it back down.
Use energy efficient lightbulbs. Replacing your lightbulbs with energy efficient lightbulbs can save you a nice chunk of change. The energy efficient lightbulbs use less energy, they put out less heat and they last longer than traditional lightbulbs. This is a very easy change to make in your home that won't cost you a lot of money.
Call your electric company. Most electric companies want their customers to use less energy, in fact they encourage it. A lot of utility companies offer a free service where they come out to your home and give you tips on improving your energy usage. If your electric company offers these services, I highly suggest taking advantage of it.
Put your yard on a timer. During the summer months people tend to think they need to water their garden more due to the heat. This could not be further from the truth! Just because it's hot outside doesn't mean you need to water your yard more. However, you should water your yard during the very early morning hours or late at night. Watering during the early hours or late hours will allow the soil to absorb more of the water. When you water during the prime sunlight hours, the water dries before the soil has absorbed it. This is where using a timer for your garden will come in handy.
Don't use the dryer. Take advantage of the warm summer months and use a clothes line to dry your clothes. If you have a large family this can really cut your energy usage and reduce your monthly bill! Setting up a clothes line outside is very simple!
Change the way you cook. Using the oven during the summer months just makes your house even hotter. When you cook in the oven this just means your A/C needs to work harder to cool the house down. Start thinking of new recipes that require minimal time on the stove. You could use a toaster oven, George Forman Grill, the crock pot, barbecue outside or just enjoy a salad.
What tips do you have for saving on utilities during the summer months? Leave a comment and let us know!
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10 Ways to Save on Your Electric Bill
Becca @ The Earthlings Handbook says
August 1, 2013 at 1:30 pmThese are great tips!
I take advantage of the longer hours of daylight by using natural light for as many of my activities as possible, saving activities that use artificial light for after sunset.
Here’s my advice for surviving without air conditioning, including lengthy comments from a home energy auditor about the situations in which it’s actually more efficient to use AC.