Summer Saving Solutions from ENERGY STAR

Believe it or not, it is already Memorial Day and time to prepare for the heat of summer and high energy bills. Fortunately, there is still something cool about summer beyond how much fun you’ll have.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program offers simple solutions for how you can keep comfortable without having to pay huge energy bills.  And, you’ll be helping protect the environment, too!

Did you know that the energy used in an average home costs more than $2,200 a year and contributes more greenhouse gas emissions than a typical car? With ENERGY STAR, you can save more than $700 while you reduce greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

“A few simple changes will help create real reductions in high summer electric bills and provide a hefty cut in greenhouse gas emissions in the bargain,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “It’s important that we all do our part to confront climate change, especially when it can help save money during these challenging economic times.”

Here are your simple solutions for saving money while you stay cool this summer:

• Set your programmable thermostats at a higher temperature for when you are away and try not to override settings throughout the day. Using a thermostat properly can save you up to $180 per year in energy costs. Visit www.energystar.gov/pts for more information.

• Run ceiling fans in a clockwise direction to create a wind-chill effect that will make you “feel” cooler. Remember that ceiling fans cool people, not rooms — so turn them off when you leave the room.

• Make sure you don’t have lights on unless you need them and replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Lights, particularly incandescent lighting, generate a lot of heat. ENERGY STAR CFLs use two-thirds less energy and generate 75% less heat than conventional bulbs.

• Inspect your duct system for obvious signs of leaks and disconnections (most houses leak 20 percent or more). Seal any leaks with foil tape or a special sealant called “duct mastic.” Also consider insulating ducts in unconditioned areas (like the attic, basement or crawlspace).

• Seal air leaks around your home to keep the heat out and the cool air in. The biggest air leaks are usually found in the attic or basement, but also come in around doors, windows, vents, pipes and electrical outlets. Use caulk, spray foam or weather stripping to seal the leaks. And add more insulation to keep your home cooler this summer.

• Maintain your cooling system. Check your system’s air filter every month at a minimum and change the filter every 3 months. Remove leaves, dirt and other debris from around the outdoor components to improve air flow and efficiency. Have a qualified professional tune-up your system with a pre-season maintenance checkup and, if it’s time to replace your old system, look for models that have earned the ENERGY STAR.

• Use drapes or blinds to block light from coming into your home during the day. You would be surprise how much heat is generated just by sunlight coming through windows.

Visit EPA’s ENERGY STAR @ home tool for more summer saving solutions.

~Thanks to the EPA and ENERGY STAR for this post to Amazon Green Scene.