The Texas heat will soon be upon us and we’ll all be cranking up our A/Cs in an attempt to stay cool. Because this inevitably leads to an increase in energy usage, learning energy-saving habits is more important than ever. Here are some of our favorite tips that will help you keep your monthly energy bills in check:
9 Energy-Saving Habits
- Upgrade to Energy Star – To get the best energy efficiency available, only use appliances and HVAC equipment that have been certified by the Energy Star label.
- Replace the air filter – When an air filter gets dirty, airflow is impeded. This will cause your system to work harder to achieve the desired comfort level.
- Install a programmable thermostat – If you’re still using a manual thermostat, you’re wasting energy. Being able to program the days and times when the A/C kicks prevents unnecessary usage when no one is home.
- Increase the temperature – No matter what type of thermostat you have, it’s best to keep it at 78 degrees when you’re at home. When you’re away, move it up to 85 degrees.
- Use fans whenever possible – If the heat isn’t too bad, a floor or ceiling fan may be all you need. Fans use much less energy than an air conditioner.
- Learn dishwasher basics – First, only run the dishwasher when it’s fully loaded. Second, allow the dishes to air dry.
- Switch off lights and appliances – When a room is unoccupied since there’s no need to leave the lights or appliances on.
- Use a surge protector – Certain electronics are known as energy vampires because they continue to use energy even if they’re turned off. These items should all be plugged into a surge protector. When you turn off the protector, energy usage will cease.
- Avoid using the oven – Whenever possible, cook using the microwave, which uses an astounding two-thirds less energy to operate.
To learn more energy-saving habits, or if you have any questions about home comfort, please contact us at Thermacon Service Company. We’ve been serving the needs of Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange, Vidor and the surrounding areas for more than 33 years.
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