Ready for warmer weather?

Electric costs rise in summer as we turn on the a/c to keep cool and reduce humidity. Here are some tips for ways to lower your electric bill:

• Use realistic thermostat settings. Every degree you raise your thermostat temp above 72F in the summer saves you approximately 3% on your electric bill. The US Dept of Energy recommends 78F, but that might be too hot for you.
• If you work, get a programmable thermostat, so you can automatically raise the temperature when you go to work and start cooling your house before you get home.
• Use ceiling fans if you have them. Set them to run counterclockwise to push cooler air down.
• Don’t run heat-generating appliances (clothes dryer, hairdryer, stove, or oven) during the day. If you must, use them before it gets hot in the morning or in the evening when it is cooler. (Peach cobbler might be an exception.)
• Don’t use your oven at all. Instead, use air fryers, microwaves, or counter-top ovens that won’t heat up your house. Use your outdoor grill, too.
• Close your drapes or blinds on sunny days. As a kid, my older relatives who didn’t have a/c keep the blinds closed to keep the sun out and the temp lower.
• Open windows at night to let in cooler air. Then shut the windows and shades in the morning to trap the cool air in your house.
• Make sure you have enough insulation in your attic. Insulation helps keep hot air outside and cool air inside. Also, check the weather stripping on doors and windows. That helps, too.
• If you have pets, keep plenty of fresh water available for them, particularly if you are gone all day and the house is hotter.