The Best Ways to Save Electricity in Summer, According to an Emergency Electrician
Introduction
Georgia summer heat is on! And you know what that means: Christmas, music festivals, New Year’s Eve, exciting beach trips, the list of fun summer activities goes on!
Yes, the summer heat can be great when you’re outside. But when you’re indoors trying to read a book, cook or just relax after a long day at work, suddenly the heat is gone. And with summer (and the high temperatures and high humidity) already in full swing, it’s a time when we’re using more electricity in our homes.
And with that comes vulnerability to electrical hazards, the risk of electrical fires and not to mention higher utility bills – heat might not be the only thing making you sweat this season!
At Poss Electrical we believe in promoting effective electrical safety and cost-saving measures for your home this summer. That’s why today our electricians in Woodstock, GA are sharing some simple yet brilliant strategies to help you manage the heat while protecting your home and reducing the strain on your wallet.
Remember, if you need a backup electrician during the transition, call Poss. Our team is available 24/7 this summer to help you with all kinds of electrical problems!
What Uses the Most Electricity in Summer?
When you come home from a long day of work or a trip, you definitely don’t want to be greeted with a stuffy house. But before you reach for the remote control for the air conditioner, consider this: Your home’s air conditioner can be one of the most energy-hungry devices in your entire home. We’re not saying you should forgot air conditioning altogether—especially in the Georgia summer! Plus, we all know that if we suggested turning off the cold air conditioner, you probably wouldn’t be listening anyway.
However, would you believe us if we told you that it is possible to continue using your electricity and enjoy your home while reducing your energy bills?
Here are some ways you can keep using your air conditioner while reducing energy consumption:
Set your AC thermostat
Set your AC thermostat to 24-26°C, which is the recommended temperature for most home air conditioners. Think of it this way: with every degree you increase your thermostat, you save considerable energy! So if you are someone who heats the air conditioner up to 18°C, try increasing the temperature by one degree. We bet you won’t even notice the difference!
Over time you can increase the temperature of your thermostat by a higher temperature and eventually reach a point where you are still comfortable, but you also have a big impact in reducing your energy use.
Clean and Maintain your AC Filters
Dirty filters can block or impede airflow, not only making your air conditioner work harder, you don’t feel the benefits either! Have your air conditioner filters cleaned at least once a year – you’ll notice an immediate improvement in airflow and comfort.
Other general tips include making sure your air conditioner is regularly serviced and kept in good operating condition. Overusing your air conditioner or using a damaged air conditioner can cause electrical fires.
So before summer officially arrives (even if it feels like it’s been here for a few weeks already!), we highly recommend getting your air conditioning checked to make sure it’s up to date. Their job is to keep you cool until March!
How to Stay Cool and Save Electricity this Summer
Creative ways of keeping cool without AC!
However, air conditioning isn’t the only weapon you can use against the heat. There are many neat little tricks you can use to reduce mercury, even without air conditioning.
A Window of Opportunity
An effective way to cool your home during the summer months is to use your window. This can sometimes be very effective; Not to mention that it’s free! If you’re lucky enough to have a strong breeze blowing your way, you’re already one step further!
Of course, unless you’re lucky enough to have a good wind, making this technique really effective is a little more complicated than just turning on the air conditioning. Just opening the windows may not be enough! Luckily, there are a few simple tricks you can use to maximize the cooling performance of your windows.
It’s All About Timing
One simple habit to get into regarding your windows is to open your windows at night, when the air is cooler to let the warm air escape and the cool night air fill the void.
Use your Ceiling Fans
You can take your window cooling to the next level by combining your windows with electric ceiling fans.
Ceiling fans are actually very useful: not only can they help make a room cooler in the summer, but they can also help make it warmer in the winter. The secret lies in the direction of rotation of the fan blades.
It’s also good to know that electric ceiling fans don’t actually lower the temperature of a room; but change the coolness of a room.
Keep the Heat Out in the First Place
At Poss Electrical we firmly believe that electrical problems must be prevented before they can even occur.
And when it comes to keeping your home cool, it’s no different!
Homeowners have many options available to keep the heat out of their home. Pulling all the curtains down during the day to reduce the amount of heat coming in is an easy habit but trust us, it makes a difference!
Here are some other effective options that can prevent your home from heating up in the first place:
- Put blinds and awnings on your windows to block out bright light
- Shades with transparent overhangs to control the amount of light entering a room
- external blinds
- Mesh window screens to let air in (but keep bugs out)
Turn that Heat Off
To avoid your home getting hotter than it is, it’s best to avoid using heat-generating appliances – especially during the hottest hours of the day. When you do this, you run your home’s cooling system harder, resulting in higher energy consumption.
More importantly, it makes your home even warmer than it already is!
To minimize the heat indoors, we recommend avoiding the use of larger devices between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Explore the Many Benefits of LED Lighting
When it comes to lighting, we also recommend installing energy-efficient LED lights. Not only are these types of light bulbs more efficient than traditional light bulbs, they run cooler too! We share other important information about the switch to LED lighting in this blog post.
Unplug Appliances when they’re not in Use
In addition, our emergency electricians in Canton, GA recommend that you unplug appliances and electronic equipment when not in use. Unplugging not only reduces the heat generated, but also protects you (and your home and devices!) from power surges that are common, especially in hot weather.
Why is Electricity Higher in Summer?
We often rely on our air conditioner during the summer months and as it is one of the most energy consuming appliances in the home it is logical that your summer electricity bills can skyrocket. Here in Georgia too, summer means Christmas and school holidays – which means many more people are at home for many hours a day.
From air conditioning to play equipment to lighting and more, we simply see greater dependency and electricity use during the summer months.
Need an Emergency Electrician throughout Summer?
Remember the Poss Electrical name!
Summer can be a tough time of year – the kids are out of school, you need to get ready for Christmas and best of all, it’s hot!
If you have an electrical problem related to a summer holiday emergency, remember the Poss are always just a phone call away. All summer long, our team of qualified emergency electricians are on hand 24/7 when you need them most.
We recommend you save our number in your phone. Call anytime: (404) 787-7262.
