As the summertime creeps closer, the fear of electricity bills begins to grow. In order to keep your home at a comfortable temperature while simultaneously not breaking the bank is an important skill to have every year. Gulf Coast Electric can help guide you in the right direction with some helpful electrical service tips. Keep reading to learn more about our recommendations to help save electricity, while still keeping cool, this summer!
Close Your Blinds
Natural sunlight is always needed in a home, but during the peak hot hours of the day closing the blinds could help reduce the internal temperature of your home. Investing in blackout curtains not only helps with decreasing brightness in a room, but also blocking out heat to the room. Most homes lose from 10-15% of their thermal energy through their windows. Investing in blackout curtains can help keep your home cool and even potentially reduce your energy bill by up to 25%!
Best Thermostat Spots
Installing a thermostat near a window or in direct light could lead to inaccurate temperature readings. This could cause an unnecessary spike on an electric bill. The best spot for your thermostat is in a hallway or near the kitchen. If your thermostat is in an inconvenient spot, the average cost of moving it ranges from $130 – $450, but once it is in an accurate place, a proper reading can help you save more in energy bills!
Recommended Temperature
When you are not home for long periods of time, make it a habit to turn the thermostat up to around 78 degrees. This is a comfortable temperature that will not leave you uncomfortable returning home after a long day in the heat. If this is not the most comfortable for your home, turn on a fan if necessary. Turning on a fan may sound simple, but always double check that it is running counter-clockwise in order to blow cooler air towards you, rather than pulling the air away from your living space.
Appliance Usage
Saving chores for the morning or nighttime could help with the amount of heat inside. Using the dishwasher and the washer/dryer at night could reduce the amount of heat released into your home. During the hottest parts of the day, this could make your A/C work overtime to keep your home at a cool temperature. Using a grill outside instead of the stove/oven could minimize the amount of heat inside your home. Changing your air filter on your air conditioner every 4-6 weeks will also help with air quality and flow, reducing the amount of energy needed to condition the air in your home.
Schedule an Electrical Audit
A great way to ensure protection from the heat this summer is to schedule an electrical audit for your home. Homes are prone to have so many small spaces such as around windows, door frames, crawl spaces, and recessed lights that let in heat and allow conditioned air to escape. Another thing to check is whether or not your home has proper insulation blocking the hot air from entering. At Gulf Coast Electric we offer an evaluation service where an our experts inspect your home for ways to save energy and money along with advice for the best lighting and electrical options. Prepping your home for summer may seem like a daunting experience, but following these tips could help you stay comfortable and save money. Call Gulf Coast Electric today to book your electrical audit today!
