It has been a very active monsoon thunderstorm season in the Valley of the Sun this year, with plenty of rain, dust, and humidity. The long stretches of intense heat and humidity have taxed HVAC systems valiantly trying to keep Arizonans comfortable. The higher humidity causes your home to feel warmer, with the AC unit running longer to keep it cool indoors. If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve probably noticed your energy bills going up.
So what are some best practices to help you and your family conserve precious energy while remaining cool and comfortable this summer?
Cover Windows
Block sunlight from entering your home by closing blinds, shutters, drapes, and shades. This will prevent indoor temperatures from soaring during the hottest part of the day.
Turn On Ceiling Fans
Turn on your ceiling fans as a very low-cost way to stay cool indoors. Remember to turn off any ceiling fans when you’re no longer occupying a room or outdoors on the patio.
Use Appliances in the Evening
Wait to wash clothes, run the dishwasher, and if possible, the oven until after the sun goes down. This helps to reduce indoor heat from raising temps and reduces your energy consumption during peak usage hours.
Turn Off Lights and Phantom Energy Devices
An easy way to save energy and money is to keep on only the lights around your home that you need. Check around your house and switch off unnecessary overhead lights, desk lamps, and floor lamps. Turn off phantom energy devices, such as electronics, surge protectors, and kitchen appliances that are not being used. Even though the devices are not in use, they still use energy to stay on. Switch all bulbs to energy saving LED bulbs for additional energy savings.
Reset Pool Pump Timer
A best practice is to reset the pool pump timer to operate after dusk. You’ll save energy, especially if you’re on a time-of-day energy plan with APS or SRP, and it’s a smart energy saving strategy.
The good news is that by taking proactive steps to reduce your energy consumption, you’ll be helping the local power grid and you may also see the benefit of a reduced utility bill next month. Call your local experts at Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900 to schedule an appointment.
