News
6/29/2012
Extreme Temperatures lead to high electric usage
Extreme temperatures lead to high electric usage, and higher-than-average electric bills. CGEMC urges you to be conscious of your electric usage during this period of high demand. The biggest summer energy users are air conditioning, water heating, and operating refrigerators and freezers. Below are some tips that can help you save energy and save money during the summer season:
- Keep your air conditioner set on 78 degrees or higher. One-degree change will affect your cooling energy use from 3 percent to 5 percent.
- Set your thermostat up when you are away from home, at night and during peak times.
- Make sure your duct system is sealed, especially if it is in the attic. Attic temperatures can rise to 140 degrees and leaky ductwork can bring this heat into your house.
- Inspect your air filters monthly and change as needed.
- Close blinds and drapes during the hottest part of the day to reflect sunlight and heat away from your home's interior.
- Use ceiling fans as much as possible. They help evaporate moisture from your skin, making you feel cooler.
- Run exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom when cooking and bathing/showering. These activities add heat and moisture to the house.
- Change out incandescent lights to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). They not only reduce electric use for lighting by 75 percent, they also reduce the heat produced from lighting by 75 percent.
- A full freezer costs less to run than an empty one. Fill empty two-liter plastic bottles with water and put in the freezer if you need to fill your freezer.
- If you have a second, older refrigerator or freezer located in a garage or any unconditioned space, consider consolidating food to the main refrigerator or freezer instead. Older appliances are much less efficient than newer models and can use up to two times more electricity than if located in a conditioned space.
For more energy-saving tips, visit the Home Energy Library, part of The Home Energy Suite on CGEMC's website or contact us at 770-504-7857.
