Don’t sweat your electric bill when temps begin to rise
The mercury is beginning its climb up the thermometer, and you can bet it will be a good long while before it begins to retreat. Don’t let your electric bills climb with it. By taking steps to be more energy-efficient, your air conditioner will run less and that, in turn, will help keep your electricity bill down. “It does take more energy to keep your home cool in the summer, but there are many ways to manage your energy use without sacrificing your comfort,” said Vernon Pierce, Entergy Texas vice president of customer service. “Several of these are very simple to do and cost little to nothing.”
Five top ways to improve your energy-efficiency and keep your costs lower are:
- Get your A/C inspected. Inspectors can make sure your system is leak-free and operating as efficiently as possible. Don’t forget to clean air filters; some units require monthly cleaning or replacing.
- Set your thermostat no lower than 78 degrees. Every degree lower can raise your bill as much as 3 percent. If you spend most of your day outside of the house, set your thermostat at a higher temperature during the day while you are gone. Heating and cooling systems are the biggest electricity users in a house.
- Use fans to cool off, but remember—fans cool people, not rooms! Ceiling fans, box fans and oscillating fans use very little electricity and circulate the air, which helps you feel several degrees cooler. Just remember to turn them off when you leave the room.
- Close blinds, shades and curtains to keep the sun out and the cool air in. Also, close air conditioning vents in rooms that are not in use.
- Seal cracks and holes around doors, windows and duct work. Weather stripping and caulk will help keep the cold air inside the house and the hot air outdoors.
Want to do even more? Check out our DIY projects, along with a host of tips at our money-saving website, entergytexas.com/savemoney. Additionally, Entergy Texas’ Entergy Solutions offers programs that can help you make your home energy efficient at little or no-cost to you.
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