How to Save Energy During the Summer

Taking steps to reduce the amount of energy you use in your home is one of the most important and effective ways you can help protect our environment. And during the summer, this is even more important and yet more difficult, as keeping your home cool can take a lot of energy. Here are some simple ways you can reduce your energy usage during the hot summer months—lowering both your energy bill and your carbon footprint:

1. Be smart with your thermostat. One of the most effective ways to reduce your energy use is to manage your thermostat wisely. Don’t use more air conditioning than you need to: adjust your thermostat when you’re out of the house, when you’re on vacation, and even at night to save energy and money. 

2. Invest in a smart thermostat. By allowing you to adjust the temperature from your smartphone and automatically self-adjusting based on the current weather, smart thermostats can help keep you comfortable when you’re home and save energy when you’re not.

3. Take advantage of the natural breeze to cool your home on nicer days. Harness the power of Mother Nature whenever you can to help you save some money on AC.

4. Use ceiling fans and portable fans to help keep your home cool instead of blasting the AC. Using fans in places like your bedroom or your home office can help keep you cool while allowing you to keep the thermostat up a degree or two.

5. Change the direction of your ceiling fans. Switch your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise so that they push cool air down—keeping your home cooler and allowing you to ease up on the AC. 

6. Install window treatments to combat the strong summer sun. Try energy-efficient window treatments or coverings such as blinds, shades, or films to naturally keep your home cooler during the summer.

7. Avoid using your oven in the summer to help keep your whole home cooler. Use your microwave, toaster oven, air fryer, or grill whenever you can.

8. Don’t waste energy while doing the dishes or your laundry. Use cold water to wash your clothes, hang your laundry to dry instead of using the dryer, and turn off the heated drying setting on your dishwasher to save a surprising amount of energy.

9. Switch to Energy Star appliances. Increase your home's energy efficiency by upgrading to an Energy Star-certified dishwasher, refrigerator, or dryer. Check out energystar.gov to find energy-efficient products and rebates.

10. Switch to energy-efficient lighting. Did you know that LED bulbs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than incandescents? Swapping out your incandescent bulbs for LED bulbs can save a ton of energy and money over time.

11. Turn down your water heater. Water heating accounts for about 20% of the average electricity bill. Turning down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F) can help reduce your energy consumption.

12. Replace your air filters to improve airflow and increase the efficiency of your cooling systems. This simple step could lower your energy consumption by up to 15%! 

13. Clean your air ducts and vents. Cleaning out all the dust and dirt that has accumulated makes things easier for both your lungs and your cooling system. You’ll save energy and may even increase the system’s lifespan.

14. Seal any air leaks. Caulking, sealing, and weather-stripping cracks and openings around your windows, doors, or any other openings can help keep cool air in and warm air out—saving energy and money. 

15. Have your HVAC system serviced. Having your cooling system inspected, cleaned, and serviced at least once a year helps ensure it’s working at maximum efficiency. 

16. Seal your air ducts. Leaky air ducts can reduce the efficiency of cooling systems by up to 30%. Sealing and insulating ducts can prevent you from wasting a significant amount of energy and money.

17. Update the insulation of your attic, doors, windows, floors, roof, and walls to help prevent the warm summer air from entering your home—helping your cooling system run more efficiently.

18. Make sure you turn off the lights every time you leave a room. Developing this simple habit can add up to a big impact over time!

19. Unplug and get outside! Give your electronics a rest and enjoy fresh air as often as you can.

Small steps like these can make a big difference in your home’s energy consumption—helping you save both energy and money. Once you’ve taken these steps to cut back on your energy usage, make sure the energy you do use comes from clean, green sources. By choosing CleanChoice Energy for your home, you can play a role in fighting climate change and creating a cleaner planet for us all. Learn more about how you can choose 100% clean, renewable energy for your home today!