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Energy Saving Tips For Summer

The average American household spends more than $1,500 a year on energy bills, half of which goes to heating and cooling. Here are some simple steps you can take today to keep costs down.

Home Temperature Tips

  • Install programmable thermostats. You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat by 7° to 10°F for 8 hours a day from its typical setting. A smart thermostat takes that a step further by allowing you to set your temperature from your smart phone or tablet. Some even learn your habits and adjust accordingly – saving you even more. Learn more here.
  • Get a great deal on an ENERGY STAR® dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers help lower energy costs because your AC won’t have to work as hard. When the air in your home is too humid, your air conditioner does double duty—cooling the air as well as removing moisture. Explore ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifiers here.
  • Take advantage of savings from Eversource on energy efficient products. Visit the Eversource Savings center to shop today.
  • Use your bathroom fan. Feeling too humid? Your bathroom fan can help remove humidity from your house and keep you comfortable.
  • Get grilling. Cooking outside is a great way to safely socialize with friends and keep heat outside of your home.
  • Remember to change your AC filter. Check your AC filter at the start of the season and change it out if needed. A clean filter will maximize your system’s output.
  • Use or install a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan can help a room feel up to 10 degrees cooler and uses just 10 percent of the energy of a central air conditioner. Make sure your fan is set in the forward (counterclockwise) direction so that it will pull up the cooler air from the ground and circulate it around the room. Just remember to turn the fan off when you leave the room.
  • Eliminate air-leaks and drafts by weatherstripping and air sealing. This will help keep warm air from leaking into your home, and can keep allergens, dust, and pollen at bay. Visit energy.gov for tips, safety advice and more.
  • Close your blinds in the daytime. Southern- and western-facing walls take the brunt of the sun’s heat, so invest in good drapes or shades for the windows on these walls and keep them closed. North-facing windows admit even, natural light, producing little glare and almost no unwanted summer heat gain. You can leave these shades open to permit natural light into your house without heating things up.
  • Plant some trees. Shade landscaping positions trees and other vegetation so their shade falls on the house and provides protection from direct sunlight.
  • Use a clothesline. Dryers need to produce a lot of heat to dry clothes. This heat can become a problem during the summer. If possible, use a clothesline and let the sun do the drying for you.

Looking To Save More This Summer?

Try our Cooing Cost Calculator, which can help you better understand your energy use.

Cooling Cost Calculator