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There are plenty of reasons to love summer, but expensive energy bills aren’t one of them. From simple habits to more efficient upgrades, there are lots of ways you can keep costs down - while also reducing your carbon emissions. Here are Encentiv’s top 5 tips to keep those energy bills down while the temperature goes up.
- Enjoy the summer sunshine!
Longer summer days means more natural light. Keep your lights off longer by taking advantage of sunny days. Whether you work from home or in the office, find a spot with plenty of sunlight to avoid turning on unnecessary lights. Natural light can even make you more productive during the work day and improve your mood overall!
…but careful not to let too much in.
While many people love the summer sun, there can be too much of a good thing. Even when using natural light to your advantage, too much direct sunlight will cause your space to heat up. Pay attention to what windows in your house or office get harsh, direct sunlight and keep those windows covered whenever possible to mitigate the effect. To balance enjoying the sunlight and staying cool, try pulling your blinds down but opening the slats to let in some light, or experiment with semi-sheer curtains that provide some coverage while still letting you get some light.
- Switch out old incandescent bulbs for LEDs
This tip won’t be a surprise to those in the lighting industry! LED light fixtures use less energy and last longer than incandescent counterparts, which can help drive down your costs. Did you know that LEDs are also literally cooler than other bulbs? Incandescent bulbs lose 90% of their energy as heat, while LEDs emit hardly any heat. When you’re using artificial lighting for parts of your day, LEDs can make a big difference in your comfort and your energy bill.
- Make your consumption match your lifestyle with smart technology.
You’ve likely heard this advice before: turn off lights when you aren’t in the room, turn up your AC if you aren’t home, unplug major appliances when they aren’t in use. However, it’s easier than ever to minimize the energy load when you aren’t home with the advent of smart technology. Consider installing a programmable thermostat so that your AC doesn’t kick into high gear until after work - or, if you’re in control of your office, so that you’re not racking up an energy bill in the evenings and on weekends.
- Upgrade your AC to be more efficient.
This one can be a big commitment, but updating your fixtures can make a long-run impact on your energy usage. During the dog days of summer, AC units everywhere are on overdrive to keep people comfortable, which can quickly cause your bills to rise. By upgrading to a more efficient unit, you can save up to 20% on your cooling costs without sacrificing comfort. If you’re working on a commercial project, don’t forget to find rebate eligible HVAC products with UtilityGenius!
We hope that you’ll find a trick or two here to save on energy this summer. Stay cool, save money, save the planet - it’s that simple!
https://hbr.org/2018/09/the-1-office-perk-natural-light
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/led-lighting
