Ten Ways to Save Energy during the Sizzling Months of Summer: US Bias
Energy consumption is on the rise, and the depletion of fossil fuels has become a growing problem in the United States. According to the United States Department of Energy, the U.S. uses almost a million dollars of electricity a minute, which is equivalent to approximately $525.6 billion each year. On a smaller scale, the average American family spends nearly $1,500 a year on utility bills alone, with 60 percent acquired from electricity bills.
Chances are your expenses may rise during the summer months, in part because children are home from school and many people relax the tight control they had over their utilities in the winter. The common phrase, “reduce, reuse, recycle” has become synonymous with saving energy and resources, and the sizzling months of summer will be more enjoyable and affordable if families consider these quick and easy energy saving ideas.
To help combat excessive summer expenses, Mike Sullivan, director of education for Take Charge America, provides the following ten quick and easy everyday tips for families to save energy during the summer:
Vigilance is the key - Be extra mindful about turning off lights when leaving a room and closing windows and doors when the air conditioner is on. Simple preventative actions can have a big impact in the long run.
Monitor outdoor water usage - Turn off automatic lawn timers during rainy weeks and consider watering during the early morning and late afternoon hours to prevent evaporation. Attach a spray nozzle to the garden hose when watering outdoor plants and use a broom to clean sidewalks and driveways, rather than spraying them down with a hose.
Monitor indoor water usage - Take showers instead of baths and turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth and doing the dishes. If the dishwasher must be used, run full loads and adjust water-level settings to increase efficiency.
Control computer settings - Computer usage in many homes increases during the summer, mainly because children are home from school. If the computer won’t be in use for more than five minutes, set it to hibernate or sleep mode to save energy.
Avoid cooking in the oven - If possible, consider cooking and re-heating meals in the microwave or on an outside grill rather than in the oven. If the oven must be used, pre-heat it only when necessary and while in use, avoid opening the oven door unless absolutely necessary.
Minimize appliance usage - Large indoor appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, dryers and water heaters generate lots of heat. To maintain cooler temperatures indoors, use appliances sparingly and late in the evening.
Wash full loads of laundry - Use cold water for both the wash and rinse cycles. Laundry can be air-dried and put into the dryer for the last five minutes to ensure softness and save energy. Over-drying clothes wastes energy and can accelerate wear and tear on your clothes.
Enjoy the sunshine - Avoid using electric lights during the day; open a curtain or two to brighten a room and enjoy the natural light! Sunshine can also be an energy saver during pre-summer months when passive solar heat can warm a room effectively, rather than using electric or gas heat.
Curb aggressive driving habits – Rapid acceleration, extreme braking and speeding are not only unsafe practices, they can increase gas mileage greatly. With the current cost of gas rising, look for ways to reduce gas consumption such as avoiding excessive idling and using cruise control whenever possible.
Carpool – Commuting to work, school and home can be relatively inexpensive if sharing the drive with fellow colleagues and co-workers. Public transportation, such as a train or bus, can be extremely convenient and biking or walking are healthy choices that should be considered.