Full Circle Real Estate Group: Athens Real Estate, Sustainable Real Estate

     It certainly doesn't look like the thermometer is going to drop around here anytime soon. If you're like me, you're thinking about how this early heat wave is going to affect your electric bill. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star program offers low to no-cost energy-efficient cooling tips to beat the heat. A typical household spends almost 20 percent of its utility bill on cooling, and by taking steps this summer to improve energy efficiency, you can save energy, save money and help fight climate change.

Try these simple tips to start saving today:

No-Cost

•  Program your thermostat to work around your family’s summer schedule—set it a few degrees higher (such as 78 degrees) when no one is home, so your cooling system isn’t cooling an empty house. With proper use, programmable thermostats can save you about $180 a year in energy costs.

• Check your HVAC system’s air filter every month. If the filter looks dirty, change it, but change the filter at least every three months. A dirty filter will slow air flow and make the system work harder to keep you cool, wasting energy.

• Run your ceiling fan to create a cool breeze. If you raise your thermostat by only two degrees and use your ceiling fan, you can lower cooling costs by up to 14 percent. Remember that ceiling fans cool you, not the room, so when you leave the room make sure to turn off the fan.

•  Pull the curtains and shades closed before you leave your home to keep the sun’s rays from overheating the interior of your home. If you can, move container trees and plants in front of sun-exposed windows to serve as shade.

Rainy autumn days and blustery winds have many people switching their thermostats from “cool” to “heat.” However, since heating equipment accounts for 49 percent of the energy used in residential buildings in the United States, it’s important to remember that heating your home efficiently not only saves energy but can leave you with money to burn.

An easy first step for energy efficient heating is setting the thermostat as low as is comfortable during cool months. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers recommends 68°F (20°C) when the house is occupied during the day and 60°F (15°C) at night. The Department of Energy estimates that five to 15 percent can be saved on energy bills simply by reducing the thermostat by 10-15 degrees for eight hours a day. Programmable thermostats can do this automatically and easily. They are inexpensive, reliable and easy to install.

Click HERE for other tips from ASHRAE or click on Read More below for full article from our source: www.greenandsave.com.