TUCSON – With Memorial Day weekend comes the unofficial start to summer and the scorching southern Arizona heat, so Tucson Electric Power is offering up ways ease that electricity bill.
As outdoor temperatures increase, a home cooling system must use more energy as it works harder to maintain the same indoor temperature, even if the thermostat is left at one setting all the time. As the monsoon nears, high humidity can further increase energy usage because air conditioning systems must remove more moisture from the air and evaporative coolers work less efficiently.
To minimize cooling costs, set thermostats at the highest comfortable temperature. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting thermostats at 78 degrees in the summer, although individual preferences may vary. For every degree you raise your thermostat, you can reduce your overall energy costs by about 2-3 percent.
These simple tips may help to reduce energy usage:
- Use ceiling or oscillating fans to keep air moving so you feel cooler without increasing air conditioner use.
- Don't block vents or ducts inside the house. Maintaining clear air paths allows your cooling system to work more efficiently. Keep exterior doors and windows closed when running the air conditioner.
- Use shades, blinds or curtains to keep sunlight out, especially during the afternoon in rooms facing west.
- Replace traditional incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star-qualified light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, which emit 90 percent less heat than regular incandescent bulbs. Over the course of its lifetime, an LED bulb will save an average of $80 in energy costs.
As outdoor temperatures increase, a home cooling system must use more energy as it works harder to maintain the same indoor temperature, even if the thermostat is left at one setting all the time. As the monsoon nears, high humidity can further increase energy usage because air conditioning systems must remove more moisture from the air and evaporative coolers work less efficiently.
To minimize cooling costs, set thermostats at the highest comfortable temperature. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting thermostats at 78 degrees in the summer, although individual preferences may vary. For every degree you raise your thermostat, you can reduce your overall energy costs by about 2-3 percent.
These simple tips may help to reduce energy usage:
- Use ceiling or oscillating fans to keep air moving so you feel cooler without increasing air conditioner use.
- Don't block vents or ducts inside the house. Maintaining clear air paths allows your cooling system to work more efficiently. Keep exterior doors and windows closed when running the air conditioner.
- Use shades, blinds or curtains to keep sunlight out, especially during the afternoon in rooms facing west.
- Replace traditional incandescent light bulbs with Energy Star-qualified light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, which emit 90 percent less heat than regular incandescent bulbs. Over the course of its lifetime, an LED bulb will save an average of $80 in energy costs.
Original post is here: http://www.kvoa.com/story/35521135/tips-to-save-on-your-summer-electricity-bill
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