Saving Energy (and Money) When Temperatures Rise

Why did my utility bill just double?

When the mercury rises this summer, and the cost of energy goes up, smart consumers will look for ways to save on utility bills. The good news is that you don’t have to blast air conditioning all summer to stay cool. Saving energy (and money) when temperatures rise can be easy. Here are some smart ways to save. And click the highlighted links for ideas if you’re in the market for a new fan.

• If you have air conditioning, try setting your thermostat at 78 degrees during the day and use a quality tower fan to cool the area where you spend your time. This is especially helpful for those that work from home in a single room. Why cool the whole house?
• When you leave, make sure you aren’t wasting energy cooling an empty house. Come up with a way to remind yourself to turn off the AC or get a smart thermostat.
• Instead of running multiple window A/C units, set up fans to create a breeze and encourage airflow. Box fans and utility fans can circulate air very quickly throughout an apartment or house.
• Block direct sunlight during the day. Keep blinds and shades drawn, or half drawn, to preserve the cool interior.
• At night when it’s cooler outside, open windows and use fans to circulate the fresh air. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using window fans consumes minimal energy and can effectively cool a room.
• Try making more no-cook meals with lots of fresh produce—like salads and yogurt parfaits—rather than running the oven and heating up the kitchen.
• Get outside! The more time you spend outside the less money you’ll spend cooling your house. And if you need a breeze on your patio, an outdoor fan might just do the trick!