Energy Saving Tips for the Summer

Saving energy at home used to be an afterthought, but as the times have changed, it’s come to the forefront of the minds of homeowners. There are several small things you can do; it often just takes a few tweaks. With that in mind, we’ve gathered 6 low-cost tips for your home to reduce its carbon footprint and lower your monthly energy bills:

 

• Lighting is one of the easiest places to save energy. Replacing your five most frequently used light fixtures with “Energy Star” qualified bulbs can save more than $65 a year in energy costs. (energystar.gov)
• Remember to always turn off your lights when leaving a room. Turning off just one 60-watt incandescent bulb that would otherwise burn eight hours a day can save about $15 per year! (energystar.gov)
• Electronics such as cell phones and laptop computer chargers account for 15% of your rental home’s energy consumption and electrical use.
• Unplug any battery chargers or power adapters when not in use (like your cell phone or laptop computer charger).
• Use a power strip as a central “turn off” point when you are done using the equipment.
• Using a power strip for your computer and other peripheral equipment allows you to completely disconnect the power supply from the power source, eliminating standby power consumption.
• To keep out the Arizona heat from the summer sun, close window shades and blinds during the hot weather.

 

• Save water by scraping dishes instead of rinsing them before loading in the dishwasher. Run your dishwasher and use the air-dry option if available.
• To make the most efficient use of your dishwasher’s energy and water consumption, run the dishwasher only when enough dirty dishes have accumulated for a full load.
• Wash your laundry with cold water whenever possible. To save water, try to wash full loads or, if you must wash a partial load, reduce the level of water appropriately.
• Hot water heating accounts for about 90% of the energy your machine uses to wash clothes. Only 10 % goes to the electricity used by the washer motor. (energystar.gov)
• Switching to cold water can save the average household more than $40 annually with an electric water heater and more than $30 annually with a gas water heater. (energystar.gov)
• Washing full loads can save you more than 3,400 gallons of water each year. (energystar.gov)

 

• Don’t over-dry your clothes. If your dryer has a moisture sensor, it will automatically turn the machine off when clothes are done. Use it to avoid over-drying.
• Remember to clean out the lint trap before every load.
• Dry full loads or reduce drying time for partial loads.
• Take advantage of Arizona’s warm, dry climate by using a drying rack to hang-dry clothing. This also extends the life of your garments.