How to Conserve Energy in the Summer.

When summertime rolls around, it’s hard to resist the urge to want to cool down as quickly as possible. But before turning down your AC to the coolest setting, you’ll want to consider these energy-saving tips for summer. 

Turning to energy-efficient habits can help you prepare for periods of extreme heat, reduce stress on the grid and help you save on your electricity bill, all while doing good for the planet.

• Set your thermostat 4° higher when you’re away for more than 4 hours.
• Raise your thermostat 2-3° from 2-9 p.m. and use fans to feel 4-6° cooler.
• Consider upgrading to a smart programmable thermostat to keep your home comfortable while conserving energy.
• Prolong the life of your air conditioner with regular HVAC tune-ups that can improve indoor air quality and promote energy efficiency.
• Change your HVAC filters every 30 days to help optimize performance.
• Seal any gaps, tears or other openings in your ductwork that may be letting cool air escape.

• Wait until the sun goes down to wash clothes and dishes, and run full loads for better efficiency.
• Use the cold water cycle for your dishwasher and washing machine whenever possible.
• Dry heavy and light fabrics separately to ensure all clothes in a load dry at the same time. Or, hang clothes outside in the sun to dry.
• Keep your freezer full to help it cool better, as the cold air is distributed more evenly.
• Ensure that your water heater is set to 120°F for optimal efficiency.

• Block out the sun with blinds or drapes to reduce heat gain by up to 33%.
• Weatherstrip exterior doors and windows to keep the heat out.
• Inspect your attic insulation to ensure that it isn’t wet, moldy or damaged, which can result in more AC usage.
• Use a timer on your pool pump to prevent it from continuously running.

• Unplug nonessential electronics to avoid phantom loads, where devices are consuming energy even when they’re powered off.
• Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms, offices and workspaces.
• Turn on lights only in areas where you need them instead of lighting the entire room.
• Consider a smart light system for easier control and scheduling of indoor and outdoor lighting.
• Charge your devices before bed instead of leaving them plugged in overnight.

When electricity demand is high, there are some immediate things you can do to help conserve energy and lower your carbon footprint. But even when demand isn’t at its peak, there are still habits you can form to help you stay comfortable and save energy.

• Switch to a 100% renewable energy plan – Sign up for an electricity plan powered by wind or solar energy.
• Go solar or join a community solar program – Offset summer cooling costs with solar power, even without rooftop panels.
• Invest in home battery storage – Store solar energy during the day and use it at night to cut peak-hour costs.
• Upgrade to ENERGY STAR® appliances – Use energy-efficient refrigerators, AC units and fans to save on electricity.
• Install a smart irrigation system – Reduce outdoor water and energy use by optimizing watering based on weather.