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Spring arrives with longer, sunnier, and warmer days. With an even hotter summer just around the corner, springtime maintenance has never been more important. The chores you complete now can protect your budget from an energy-sucking season.
Why You Should Think About Your Energy Use Today
It’s natural to want to crank your AC to max on the first hot and muggy day of summer, but this frosty habit is expensive. You might see a huge spike in your next utility bills.
If you don’t have a lot of extra cash on hand to deal with this unexpected expense, you might have to turn to a line of credit or installment loan for help. These online loans may help get you money in an emergency when a sudden, one-time spike increases your bill unexpectedly.
While an online loan may help with a single surge, it isn’t meant to help you with recurring bills. If your normal usage is too much for you to handle, you should borrow money.
Unfortunately, forecasts show you may be spending more to cool your home this year.
Scientists say 2024 has a one-in-three chance of being warmer than last year, and a 99% risk of being within the top five hottest summers on record. You’ll be facing this record-breaking heat at the same time electricity prices continue to be high.
In other words, costly utility bills are unlikely to be a one-time thing.
How to Reduce Your Energy Consumption and Spend Less
With ongoing issues affecting your bills, it’s up to you to tweak your consumption to reduce what you pay. Here’s how:
1. Service Your Air Conditioner
Call a local, trustworthy HVAC company to give your AC a tune-up. This quick visit can ensure your air conditioner is running efficiently, so it doesn’t waste any energy. It also gives you an opportunity to catch minor issues before they have time to grow into energy-sucking mechanical problems.
2. Install a Programmable Thermostat
The Department of Energy estimates you can save 10 percent of your heating and cooling bills by switching to a programmable thermostat.
3. Support Your AC
Use window coverings during the sunniest part of the day to block out hot UV rays. Open your windows to let the cool air in once the evening cools down. These window habits can help you set a more efficient thermostat temperature.
4. Service Your Water Heater
You still use hot water during the summer, so your water heater never gets any downtime during the year. Most professionals recommend having this appliance serviced once a year, just like your AC or furnace.
A water heater technician can assess your appliance and flush its tank to improve its efficiency and lifespan. You can ask this technician to lower your water temperature to 120F, or you can easily make this adjustment after they leave.
5. Install Low-Flow Fixtures
Changing your showerheads and faucets to low-flow fixtures can help you save a lot of water, but don’t worry — you won’t lose any precious pressure. Low-flow fixtures use aeration or laminar technology to keep up a steady flow while reducing water waste.
For the biggest savings, swap out your toilet for a water-saving toilet. Your toilet is the single biggest water-consuming product in your home, so making the switch could save you $140 every year! When shopping for these fixtures, make sure they have the EPA’s WaterSense label.
Follow these springtime tips to help you manage your energy use and save money this summer.
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