It’s scorching hot outside. You’re convinced that there’s no way to escape the heat and have resorted to sitting inside wearing as little as possible, trying to find a solution.
And as the temperature outside creeps to triple digits, it’s easy to just turn the dial on your air conditioning unit to a more comfortable temperature.
But as you cool indoors, that AC ends up wasting energy and costing you more than you had hoped.
In fact, 45 percent of your utility bill consists of heating and cooling energy, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
In order to eliminate as much energy waste when using your air conditioning unit, make sure to keep the thermostat at a reasonable level. Keep it at 78 degrees when you’re inside and raise it to about 85 when you’re not home. There’s no need to keep the room cooled when no one’s there, said Peter Jenkins, a program associate with the Alliance to Save Energy.
For every 5 degrees higher your thermostat is set, you save 10 percent in energy costs, according to the Flex Your Power program.
Coreen Weintraub, the chairwoman of Calpirg, said she adjusts her thermostat during the hot months.
“A couple degrees make a difference in the energy,” Weintraub said.
If you’re looking to buy a new appliance, make sure that it has the Energy Star label on it, which indicates it is energy efficient. Some Energy Star products are up to 40 percent more efficient, lowering your costs and energy waste.
The minimum requirement set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy for central air conditioners is a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of 13. Air conditioners with the Energy Star label have a higher number and are 14 percent more efficient. It might be a splurge, but you’ll save in the long run because you’ll spend less on energy.
Also check to make sure filters are changed monthly since they can clog up the airflow and cause the air conditioner to take more time to cool the room. Replacing them can save 1 percent to 2 percent on energy costs, according to the California Consumer Energy Center.
Adding weather stripping around windows and doors ensures that the cool air you’re relaxing in doesn’t escape the room. After doing that, make sure that there is proper insulation in place, which can reduce costs by 5 percent to 25 percent.
Sometimes though, it’s the simple things that make all the difference.
Close the blinds during the day to keep the cool in and the heat out. Keeping them open during the day can create solar gain and increase the overall temperature in the room because of the heat the windows absorb.
When you have the air conditioning unit on, make sure to have all the doors and windows closed, to ensure that no cool air escapes. Small steps like this help ensure less energy waste, said Eddie Murphy, the student director of the Education for Sustainable Living Program at UCLA, which works to ensure sustainability within the University of California.
When trying to save money and energy, think practically. Turn off the lights ““ which can add unnecessary heat ““ during the day, and turn on the fan to help create a breeze and circulate the cool air produced by the air conditioner. Such simple precautions are what make unbearable summer days things of the past.
“I don’t do any magic tricks,” Murphy said, on how he relies on practical methods to stay cool during the hot months.
By making a small effort, you can keep your wallet a little bit plumper, all while helping the environment.
You’ll finally be able to enjoy the hot summery days without melting into your chair.
Enjoy it because, before you know it, it’ll be back to scarves and rain boots, and you will be craving that good old sun.