THERE’S a temperature-based mistake costing some Americans hundreds of dollars on their energy bills.
Making some simple adjustments this summer could help keep costs down while still staying cool.
Americans are making a crucial mistake that’s impacting energy bill costs (stock image)[/caption]
The first of those adjustments would be setting the thermostat “wisely,” according to what Bill Taylor, HVAC contract manager at South Jersey Gas & Elizabethtown Gas, told The US Sun.
Taylor explained that there are certain “ideal” temperatures while at home that help save the most money possible.
This includes a range between 74 and 76 degrees in the summertime.
“Bumping your thermostat even 1-2 degrees can reduce cooling costs by up to 3-5%,” the HVAC tech explained.
That might seem like a small percentage, but over the course of the season, that’s a significant amount of cash.
Taylor also had several other tips to keep in mind.
MORE WAYS TO SAVE
For those who have fans in their living space, turning them on helps circulate air, meaning the thermostat can be kept up so energy bills are kept low.
“Ceiling and floor fans don’t cool air but help circulate it. Running a fan while you’re in the room lets you raise the thermostat by 4 degrees Fahrenheit with no loss in comfort,” Taylor told us.
Closing blinds during peak sunlight hours is also a great move.
“Blocking sunlight can reduce indoor temps by up to 10-15 degrees and ease the load on your AC,” he noted.
Taylor also advised that Americans save any energy-draining activities for the day when its coolest, as it also saves strain on an AC unit.
“Cooking, drying clothes, or running the dishwasher during the hottest part of the day makes your AC work harder,” Taylor said.
“Shift these to the evening hours.”
Taylor also recommended that homeowners and renters ensure no vents are blocked by any furniture or miscellaneous items, as “good airflow means better efficiency.”
Thermostat Ranges to Save Money
- Winter
- At Home: 68 degrees
- Away/Asleep: 60 to 65 degrees
- Variable depending but always seven to 10 lower than normal setting
- Summer
- At Home: 78 degrees
- Away: 85 degrees
- Asleep: 82 degrees
- Variable depending but always seven to 10 degrees higher than setting
Credit: US Department of Energy
Lastly, many utility providers offer a free home energy audit, meaning experts can spot any ways to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
AVERAGE SPIKE
Many Americans are looking for any way to save this summer as the average cost for the season is the highest it has been in 12 years.
From June to September, it’s estimated to be $784, per a recent report from the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA).
That’s a 6.2% increase from the $737 average during the same time last year, or about 4.3% considering inflation.
Only 10 years ago, the average was $497.
NEADA cited two main factors for the increase, with the first being electricity prices outpacing inflation and the second being climate change, as it now requires more energy to cool homes.
Low-income households are getting hit the hardest by the uptick, as electricity costs make up about 8.6% of their income, about three times the rate for Americans in higher brackets.
One company is offering “free electricity” on weekends this year, and it only takes three easy steps to get it.
The price of AC units is also skyrocketing as the result of a new “refrigerant” rule, and there’s a hefty fee for those who already own one.
