June 20th marks the official start of summer this year. Get your home ready for the transition from spring rain to summer heat with these five tips-- and save some money in the process!
1. Freshen your filter.
The dogs days of summer are on the way. Make sure your air conditioner is up to the challenge. Step one, replace the filter. A clogged, dirty filter reduces airflow and efficiency and makes your unit work harder than necessary. Replacing the filter can reduce your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5% to 15%.
2. Get with the program.
If you haven’t already, re-set your programmable thermostat for warmer weather. It makes sense and saves money to cool your home only when you’re there to enjoy it. In fact, turning your thermostat up while you’re gone can save as much as 10%! Speaking of thermostats…
3. Never thought of that.
Avoid placing lamps, TVs or other electronics near your air-conditioning thermostat. If the thermostat senses heat from these appliances, it can cause the air conditioner to run even when the rest of the house is nice and cool.
4. Play ball.
Warmer weather means more time at the lake and pool. And more time by the water means more loads of wet swimsuits and beach towels in the dryer. Use dryer balls to save time and energy. Dryer balls allow air to circulate more efficiently through wet clothing so they dry faster.
5. Rain, rain, don't stay away.
June is usually one of the highest rainfall months of the year. It’s great for getting your lawn nice and green before the heat of summer, but not so great if you have your irrigation system on a timer. Add a rain sensor to make sure your sprinkler program doesn’t water the lawn when it’s had plenty of rain.
Come back next month for more energy-efficient, money-saving tips to help beat the July heat!