Sunday, June 7, 2009

Summer Money Saving Tips!


Summer is quickly approaching in some areas of the world and other areas are in full summer mode. Finding ways to save money while still being comfortable may sometimes seem difficult. Here are a few things that might help a bit.

Set A/C Thermostat 2 degrees warmer in summer! Just 2 degrees difference can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Your body is going to be unlikely to notice the difference between 70 degrees and 72 degrees. Getting an energy efficient fan or using a ceiling fan to help move the air around should counter act the difference in temperature while saving on the electric bill. Be sure to check the direction your ceiling fan is turning if you have the option. One setting is for summer and the other is for winter.

Change the filter on your A/C intake on a regular basis. Remember if you have pets you may need to change the filter more often. Check to see what the manufacturers recommendations are and check them often. It is also a good idea to get your entire system checked out to make sure all the ducts are clean and clear of any debris. Much like a car, the better care you take of your A/C system, the less it has to work and that saves you money!

Run your washing machine, dryer and dishwasher later in the evening when electricity is less expensive. Turn off your drying cycle on your dishwasher. These things will not only help save money by themselves they will also be producing heat in the evenings when it is cooler and won't cause your A/C to work harder.

If you have a metal roof of any kind consider putting a water sprinkler on the roof and run it at a low pressure during the hottest part of the day. You want to set it so that water is not pouring off your roof but just dripping. As the water evaporates it helps to cool off the roof. Make sure as well that your vent fans on your roof are working properly. You may even want to consider adding exhaust fans to help vent the heat buildup from your attic.

That is it for today. If you have questions or comments please feel free to send them! Saving money gets easier the more you try!




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