How To Be More Energy Efficient This Summer

Changes to Your Energy Routine Can Pay Off Substantially

Reducing your energy usage can really help you cut your utility bills over the summer, but nobody wants to sacrifice their comfort just to save a few bucks. So, how can you best know which tweaks to your energy routine will ultimately pay off in the form of savings that are worth the change?

Read on to learn more about how you can make a difference in your energy-efficiency and reap the rewards.

Energy-Efficient Tips

Summer heat waves in the Northeast United States can wreak havoc on your wallet with high cooling bills. But you can decrease your energy usage without sacrificing your comfort with these tips:

• Cut Back on Your Air Conditioning Energy: This is not the air conditioning conservation tip from your childhood. You don’t have to keep your cooling system off until June, or cut it off in September, even though it’s still 90 degrees outside. You also don’t have to hang out with your temperature set at 78 degrees if you don’t really want to—for many of us, that just uncomfortable enough to withstand, but not exactly pleasant.

  Nowadays, you can take advantage of a programmable or SMART thermostat to set the temp a bit higher while you’re out of the home, while cooling your house back to your desired temperature when you’re on your way home.

• Install Ductless Air Conditioning: Gone are the days of bulky window units. Today, you can install discrete single-room or multi-room ductless units to create cooling “zones” in your home. This saves you money by getting the rooms you spend the most time into your desired temperature, while conserving the cost of cooling your entire home to the fullest amount.
• Check Your Windows: Windows let the beauty of the outdoors in—and sometimes the sweltering outdoor air, too. To keep the cool air from escaping and hot air from sneaking inside, invest in some quality window coverings. You don’t have to keep the drapes closed all day, but even drawing them when you leave home, or at night when you’re asleep, can cut down cooling loss. Applying a high-quality window film can also help.
• Clean Your Air Filters: A dirty, obstructed air filter requires more energy for the cool air to pass through it. By supplying your cooling system with a clean filter, it will experience less wear and tear and need less energy to produce the same amount of cooled air. The same goes for your air conditioning coils—they need to be clean to be most-efficient.
• Make Routine Maintenance a Priority: Neglecting your air conditioning maintenance can lead to energy loss over time, reducing your cooling efficiency. Regular maintenance can catch any small problems as they develop, so that issues can be remedied before they get worse. A well-maintained air conditioner works at its best capacity.
• Manage Appliance Usage: There’s nothing quite like preheating your oven to 400 degrees in July to give your air conditioner a run for its money. If you enjoy grilling outdoors, it can be a nice break for your cooling system. Likewise, running appliances late at night can save energy in utility districts that operate using peak and off-peak pricing.

Harness the Power to Choose Your Energy Provider!

Making energy-efficient choices for your home can also extend beyond your air conditioner and appliance usage. Choosing the power provider that works best for your needs is also a smart move! Discount Power helps make it easy for you to understand and manage your electricity and natural gas costs. And with our renewable energy options, we can also help you feel good about the energy you use every day. Check out our available energy options built to fit your needs—and your budget.

Much of the electricity in the nation is generated by the dirtiest source of fuel, coal, or the most problematic, nuclear. But you can flip that switch and protect your pocketbook at the same time.
When you switch to one of our Green Energy Plans, 100% of your electric usage will be offset by carbon-neutral, wind or hydroelectric sources. Your existing utility will continue to deliver power to your home or business, send you your bill and respond during any outages. But that electricity is replenished by Discount Power with energy you can feel good about using. It’s easy, it’s safe, and it’s 100% pollution free. Save money and reduce your family’s carbon footprint.

Discount Power has proven to be a safe, easy way for customers just like you to take control of their energy costs, providing them the flexibility to choose plans that fit their needs, and save them money too! At the end of the day, there’s no risk. Become a customer and exercise your power to choose what works best for you.