Electricity is expensive, and energy usage tends to skyrocket in the summers. If you’ve noticed a significant increase in your electric costs over the past several months, you may want to take a few extra precautions to keep your electricity bill in check. From programming your HVAC unit to swapping out your lightbulbs, there are many ways you can increase the energy efficiency of your home-without sacrificing comfort! Below are ten easy ways to lower your electricity bill this summer.

1. Take Shorter Showers

The average shower uses about 2.5 gallons of water per minute. If you keep your showers around ten minutes (save the jam-out session for later) rather than forty-five minutes, you could end up saving more than 80 gallons per month!

2. Fix Faucet Leaks

Did you know that one drip from a leaky faucet can waste up to 2,700 gallons of water each year? That’s enough water to fill two swimming pools! It is estimated that nearly 1 trillion gallons of water are wasted in the United States each year due to leaks in toilets and faucets. You can easily check for leaks under sinks by simply putting food coloring in the tank and then checking for color in the bowl.

3. Swap Out Inefficient Lightbulbs

LED lightbulbs can save you up to $50 a year in energy costs, depending on the wattage of those bulbs. Even fluorescent bulbs can be swapped out for LED options, which have a lifespan of about 5 times that of incandescent bulbs!

4. Use Window Shades

Direct sunlight can cause your home to heat up surprisingly quicklky–even through closed windows. If your electricity bill has been particularly high as of late (especially in the AC department), you may want to invest in window shades or curtains. Placing window shades or awnings on your windows can help reduce the need for air conditioning in your home. This will also help you feel more comfortable on the hotter summer days.

5. Use Fans Instead of the AC

You can save as much as $110 a year by using fans in place of your air conditioning unit. Fans allow you to localize the cooling of your home depending on which rooms need it the most, and they require much less energy to function. Not only will your home be cooler in the areas that you need it, but using fans will also help cut down on your energy bill!

6. Eliminate Phantom Loads

If you find that you have a light, fan, or other appliance running around the clock, you can set up an event in your SmartThings My Home app to turn off those devices when they are not being used. This will save money on power, as well as helping to cut down on wear and tear on your appliances in the long-term.

7. Get Your HVAC Repaired

There are a few things you can do to get your air conditioning system repaired, such as cleaning out the vents and filters, checking the air flow into your unit, and ensuring that your compressor is properly lubricated. By keeping your HVAC in the best possible condition, your AC will run much more smoothly and efficiently in the summers, ultimately decreasing your electricity bill.

8. Install Dimmer Switches

If you find that you are turning on lamps or appliances around the time of day when your air conditioning unit is already running, installing dimmer switches that have been switched to “on” during certain periods will save power by reducing the amount of electricity needed to light up your home. This can save you up to $70 per year!

9. Update Old Appliances

The electricity costs of appliances, such as refrigerators and washing machines, can increase significantly over the years due to wear and tear. If your appliance is more than ten years old, swap it out with a newer model to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Replace your existing appliance with one that has an Energy Star rating. Doing so can save you as much as $200 per year!

10. Install Solar Panels

Going solar is a great way to save on your electricity bill for multiple years to come! The average return on investment for going solar is between 12-17%. Many states across the USA are requiring all homes to install solar panels, and your home could be next! Get ahead of the game (and ahead of your electricity bill) by installing solar panels this summer. You may run out of money, but you’ll never run out of sun!

Ascend HVAC provides high-quality furnace and HVAC repairs in SLC, Utah.

Edward Bertrand