Stay Cool and Efficient This Summer

The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. This is the season of backyard barbecues, family road trips, gardening and camping, but you likely want to cool off as quickly as possible when you go back inside your home after enjoying the outdoors. As summer approaches and spring’s milder temperatures begin to climb, our energy bills tend to increase as well. At Victory Electric, we know you want to save as much money as possible on your monthly electric bills while also keeping cool this summer. 

Cooling Your Home

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems account for around half of the average American household’s energy consumption. The greater the difference between the outdoor temperature and your desired indoor temperature, the more energy your heater or air conditioner consumes. That’s why in extreme temperatures, your system needs to work harder and run longer to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. That increased energy usage leads to higher bills — even if you didn’t touch the thermostat. 

Here are a few tips to help you beat the heat without breaking the bank: 

• Schedule an annual service with a qualified HVAC technician to check refrigerant levels and inspect your system to make sure everything is working properly and help prevent costly emergency repairs later. Maintaining your cooling system keeps it running efficiently and extends its lifespan.
• Clean or replace filters as recommended, generally every 1-3 months.
• The location of your thermostat can affect your HVAC system’s ability to maintain an ideal indoor temperature. For the best accuracy, thermostats should be placed in the center of the home, away from air vents, plumbing pipes and exterior doors. Avoid placing items like lamps and televisions near your thermostat or installing thermostats in rooms that tend to feel warmer or colder than the rest of the home.
• Raise the thermostat to the highest setting for your comfort, and increase it several degrees more when you’re away from home. Programmable thermostats make it easy to automate changing the temperature based on your daily routine.
• Make sure vents are not obstructed by furniture or other items that may affect air circulation.
• Check for drafts around windows, doors and other areas where there may be air leaks. Replace any worn-out stripping and use caulk to seal cracks.
• Window coverings can help keep rooms cooler in the summer.
• Use ceiling fans. Remember that fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave the room.

Energy Advisor

Victory Electric also offers several free digital tools that allow you to better manage your electric bills all year long. Member-owners who provide an email address may receive personalized videos explaining bill changes, reports summarizing their annual energy use, tips on saving energy and mid-month usage alerts. The Energy Advisor tool offers a detailed analysis of home energy usage and provides suggestions for saving energy and money. Visit victoryelectric.net/energy-resources and click the Energy Advisor button to start using the Energy Advisor today.