How can I lower electricity usage and cooling costs this summer?

Question

The electric company in my area recently doubled their rates. They have a monopoly and apparently we have no other alternatives unless we all want to start buying solar panels for our roofs. I am very worried about cooling costs this summer when the air conditioner comes on. What can I do now, to prepare for the hot summer months?

Answer 1

1. Make sure your air-conditioner has been serviced recently - clean the outdoor unit, change the filter, lubricate any moving parts - keep it working efficiently.
2. Open up the house at night to let the cool air in.
3. Switch to compact flourescent bulbs throughout the house, and keep the lights out unless you're in the room.
4. Turn the thermostat up 2-4 degrees and wear light clothes.
5. Keep heavy drapes or blinds closed over western-windows to keep heat out.
6. Cook outdoors on the grill to keep the heat out of the house. Cut back on baking, and take time to learn some new recipes for salads and other cool dishes.
7. Exercise before you shower - the cooler water will feel good and you'll save money by not using all that hot water.
8. Check the insulation around your doors and windows.
9. Turn off the computer when you're not using it.
10. Go for a walk outside instead of watching TV.

For long-term savings, plant trees and shrubs around the western-side of the house to gain some shade. Add flowerbeds near the house. Install an attic fan. Consider replacing your HVAC unit with a newer, more energy-efficient unit. (You can even get a tax break!) But those all require patience and several years to get your payback.

Answer 2

Insulate insulate and insulate...then, keep the temp up a few degrees higher...the dehumidification alone will make it comfy.
Be sure you have good attic ventilation. And thinking ahead...plant shade trees around the house...fast growing ones! But even shrubs near the house will reduce the heat load. Insulate your water heater and hot water pipes...no sense in having that heat in the house..plus it will lower your water heater bill year round.
Oh...and while it's a good idea to keep a clean filter in place...a dirty filter does NOT increase the "work" the fan does...when a fan moves less air, due to a dirty filter...it uses less power. It's like when you cover the intake of a vacuum cleaner...the motor speeds up, because there is less load on it...not more...and the power draw goes down.
Still a good idea to change the filter, because if the airflow slows too much, you can frost the A/C coil.

Answer 3

Make sure to change the filter in the A/C in the summer and heater in the winter. Both units have to work 3-5 times harder=more electricity to push air through dirty filters.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

No one mentioned the attic. Insulation between the ceiling joists. How about adding insulation between rafters. Install a thermostatically controlled attic ventilator to lower the temperature in the attic. Got a fold up attic stair? Weather strip it and insulate it.

Answer 6

Insulate, and raise the temp on the thermostat. Try just a couple of degrees warmer and it will have an effect on the bill.

Good luck, it's rough everywhere these days.

Answer 7

Dance!! XD