Is it summer or does it just feel like it? The sun is shining, the birds are singing, oh yeah and it's ridiculously hot outside. I'm in FL where the heat seems to begin by 7am and by noon you're thankful that everything in this state is air-conditioned. I'm headed to New York today where it's really no cooler.
But with the extra need for air-conditioning in the summer, we face higher electricity bills. In fact, did you know that the average house in North America consumes about 21.5KwH /day? So, that means that if you pay the average 12 cents/KwH you could sum a grand total of over $942/year on electricity (probably a lot more if you're a growing family, like us)? That's 10 pretty fancy date nights with your man/woman, approximately 30 movie and dinner nights with a friend, and in our case, about six months of baby food. I'm sweating just thinking about this!
Fortunately, there are simple suggestions below to save as much as 50% of these costs. Also, check out this Home Energy Saver website to calculate your energy usage and see a list of home improvements that while they require some upfront investment, will provide a generous return on investment.
1. Replace your old bulbs with compact florescent light-bulbs. And when you leave the house, remember to turn all lights, and fans off.
2. Get a new tv--LCDs use a lot less energy than your old tv or plasmas.
3. Turn off appliances, including unplugging them when you're not using them. Put your computer on sleep mode or turn it off overnight.
4. Buy energy-efficient appliances, specifically your refrigerator and freezer and washer-dryer.
5. When you're not home, turn the a/c up to 78 degrees in the summer. Keep all blinds and curtains over windows closed. If it's cooler at night, open windows. Also, a dehumidifier can be useful in removing moisture.
If you have additional ideas to share with readers, please post them in the comments.
And speaking of heat, how 'bout that Miami Heat team?! I've always been a loyal fan since I'm from South Florida, so let's hope they go all the way!
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