Summer in Wisconsin brings plenty of sunshine, but it also brings high temperatures that can cause your cooling costs to skyrocket. We know how frustrating it is to balance a comfortable home with a reasonable monthly utility bill.
The good news is that you don’t have to choose between sweating and overpaying. By making a few small, smart adjustments to your daily routine, you can take the pressure off your air conditioner and keep more money in your wallet.
- Hack Your Thermostat: Your thermostat is the single biggest factor in your summer energy bill. The Department of Energy recommends setting your AC to 78°F when you are home and awake. While that might sound high at first, every degree you raise your thermostat above 72°F can save you up to 3% on your cooling costs. If you’re heading out for work or a weekend trip, bump the temperature up so you aren’t paying to cool an empty house!
- Use Your Fan: Ceiling fans don’t cool the air in a room; they cool people by creating a wind-chill effect on your skin. This can make you feel 4-6 degrees cooler than the actual room temperature. Because of this, you can comfortably set your AC a few degrees higher when a fan is running.
- Shut Out the Sun: Think of your windows as tiny greenhouse panels. Leaving your blinds or curtains wide open during the hottest parts of the day allows solar heat to pour right into your living room, forcing your AC to work overtime. Get into the habit of closing your shades on south and west-facing windows in the morning before you leave for the day.
- Delay Heat-Generating Chores: Appliances like your oven, dishwasher, and clothes dryer generate a massive amount of residual heat inside your home. If you run them during the peak heat of the afternoon, your AC has to work twice as hard to remove that extra warmth. Instead, shift these tasks to the cooler morning or late evening hours.
- Unplug the “Phantom” Energy Drains: Did you know that electronics and chargers consume power even when they are turned off or not actively charging something? This “phantom load” accounts for a surprising chunk of home energy waste. It also generates small amounts of heat. Unplug idle phone chargers, gaming consoles, and small kitchen appliances when they aren’t in use, or plug them into a smart power strip that cuts off the power for you. There are many online tools to help folks determine what their devices and appliances use, even when idle. Click here to view the WPS Electric Appliance Calculator.
For more resources, check out the links below:
CUB Blog – Heat Warning: Tips for Saving Energy While Staying Cool
Focus on Energy – Hot Tips for Summer Energy Savings
Focus on Energy – Summer Energy Savings Tips for Your Home and Business
