Tips to Keep Your Energy Bill Lower This Summer

As the temperatures rise during the summer months, keeping your home cool and comfortable can lead to a spike in your energy bills. However, there are ways to help combat this without breaking the bank. In this guide, we’ll explore a variety of practical tips and solutions to help you keep your energy bills in check this summer. From minor changes in habits to more significant investments in energy-efficient technologies, we’ll cover it all. Let’s dive in!

Embrace the ENERGY STAR® Advantage

ENERGY STAR® shines as the gold standard for prioritizing energy efficiency. Sporting its signature blue star label, it serves as a symbol of reliability, empowering consumers to make informed choices. Teaming up with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Energy Star champions cost-saving solutions that benefit your wallet and contribute to environmental well-being. 

When shopping for new appliances and systems for your home, opt for Energy Star certified products. Guaranteeing optimal power supply while supporting initiatives like reducing emissions, enhancing air quality, and promoting public health. With MRCOOL®, you can trust that you’re investing in energy-efficient solutions that align seamlessly with Energy Star standards. Our products ensure that you’re not just saving money—you’re also fostering a cleaner and healthier planet.

Seal Air Leaks

One often overlooked energy-saving avenue is sealing air leaks around doors, windows, and other openings. Air leaks can significantly impact your home’s energy efficiency. But how do you know if you have air leaks in your house? There are several ways to determine if your doors and windows are properly sealed. One option is to have a blower test done in your home by a professional, which would give you the most accurate results. If you’re looking to do a simple test yourself, the Department of Energy recommends some of the following:

• Light an incense stick and gently move it along the edges of common leak sites. Notice where the smoke wavers or is drawn into or out of the room – these are signs of drafts. Alternatively, you can use a damp hand to detect leaks; any drafts will feel noticeably cooler against your skin.
• At night, shine a flashlight over potential gaps while a partner observes from outside. Extensive cracks will be illuminated by rays of light. However, this method may not effectively detect more minor cracks.
• Test for drafts by shutting a door or window on a dollar bill. If you can easily pull the bill out without resistance, it’s a sign of energy loss.

Once you find any leaks in your home, you can seal them with weatherstripping, caulking, or spray foam insulation to prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from infiltrating your home. 

Optimize Your System

Your HVAC system plays a vital role in maintaining home comfort, particularly during scorching summer months. To trim those energy bills, consider adjusting your thermostat a few degrees higher when you’re away during the day. With MRCOOL® products, controlling your thermostat is a breeze using the MRCOOL® SmartHVAC app, even when you’re asleep or out. This programmable feature ensures your home stays cool when needed while conserving energy when you’re away. Additionally, you can leverage the dry mode function as a dehumidifier to remove excess heat and humidity, especially during activities like cooking or showering.

Use Your Windows and Fans Wisely

Cut down on energy bills by keeping curtains, blinds, or shades closed during the hottest parts of the day to block out sunlight and reduce natural heat ingress. If your space has excessive sun exposure, you may want to consider upgrading to energy-efficient windows with low-emissivity coatings to further diminish heat transfer. Complement these efforts by incorporating ceiling and portable fans to improve air circulation. Strategically placing fans throughout your home can enhance comfort levels and lessen the need to rely heavily on your HVAC system.

Improve Insulation

Good insulation serves as a protective barrier, akin to wrapping your house in a cozy blanket, ensuring it maintains a comfortable temperature year-round without relying heavily on energy consumption. During winter, it retains warmth, while in summer, it wards off external heat, preserving a cool interior. By investing in quality insulation, you cultivate an environment where your home naturally regulates its temperature, lessening the reliance on heating and cooling systems.
To optimize energy efficiency and further reduce utility costs, inspect your attic, walls, and floors to see if they are adequately insulated. Sealing off potential avenues for conditioned air to escape can prevent energy wastage. If you’re considering an upgrade, explore high-efficiency insulation materials tailored to your home’s needs.

Implement Smart Water Heating Practices

As the summer heat intensifies, it becomes increasingly important to implement smart water heating practices. Water heating constitutes roughly 18% of a household’s energy consumption, often ranking as the second largest energy expense for homeowners. To optimize energy usage, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends setting your water heater thermostat to around 120 degrees Fahrenheit during summer. This simple adjustment enhances your comfort and benefits the environment by reducing energy consumption. By embracing these practices, you can diminish your environmental footprint while also experiencing positive impacts on your utility bills.

Choose MRCOOL® for the most Energy Efficient Savings

MRCOOL® offers a range of energy-efficient products, among which is our GeoCool® Heat Pump. With an impressive Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of up to 70, this unit can move more than three units of heat energy for every unit of electrical energy used, resulting in significant utility bill savings. In fact, it can reduce your utility bills by over 50% compared to other conventional systems.

Explore our website to review available rebates in your area for energy-efficient upgrades and consult with a professional HVAC contractor for personalized recommendations tailored to your home’s specific needs and circumstances.

Visit us at https://MRCOOL.com/geocool-geothermal-heat-pump/ to learn more about our GeoCool® Heat Pump and discover how we can help enhance your home’s energy efficiency!