One of my favorite things about summer is the opportunity for fresh, homegrown food, whether it’s shopping at the local farmers market or sharing the abundance of garden tomatoes with a neighbor. It’s amazing how just a few seeds, some fertilizer and water can turn into a bounty.
When I think about energy efficiency, I think about that bounty of food and how, with just a few simple actions, you can use less electricity and reap the rewards of energy savings.
You don’t need to be a farmer or botanist to know that plants need water – just like you don’t have to be a lineworker or engineer to know that adjusting the thermostat or turning off lights can reduce your monthly electric bill. In fact, if you read our co-op’s publications regularly and follow us on Facebook, you know there are a lot of things you can do at home to save electricity and money.
Summer months bring some of the highest energy bills of the year. But why? Cooling your home accounts for a large portion of your monthly energy use, and the hotter it gets, the harder and longer your air conditioner works to keep you cool.
There are several ways you can manage energy use at home. See the graphic below for a few tips that can help grow your summer energy savings.
Most people don’t know everything about electricity, and that’s why we’re here to help. There are no investors making profits here. Just knowledgeable people with local jobs working for our neighbors to ensure electricity is available when you need it. Contact us, and we can work with you to find more ways to save energy – and money.
By: Cozy Nelsen is the CEO of Guthrie County REC
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5 WAYS TO SAVE THIS SUMMER
When summer temperatures rise, so do our energy bills. Here are a few ways you can reduce energy use and grow your summer savings.
- Raise your thermostat. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the more you’ll save.
Install window coverings like blinds or light-blocking curtains to prevent indoor heat gain during the day.- Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping around windows and exterior doors. Air leaks force your air conditioner to work harder and run longer than necessary.
- Run ceiling fans for additional cooling but turn them off when you leave the room.
- Lower your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees F to reduce standby heat loss.
Install window coverings like blinds or light-blocking curtains to prevent indoor heat gain during the day.