Today is the first day of spring, and most people are gearing up for outdoor activities, gardening and spring cleaning around the home. NES recommends customers also use this time to get ready for the summer heat. Temperatures rise during the summer, and with that rise comes a higher demand for electricity to keep homes cool. Using more power can mean a rise in a customer’s electrical bill. Here are some ways to get your home ready for the hot summer months ahead!
Seal it up for summer.
Keep hot air out and cool air in by using caulk or weather strips to create strong seals on doors, windows and your attic access.
Get smart before you get away.
Before leaving for vacation, take a trip to your water heater and switch it off. No one’s using water while you’re gone – so why waste energy heating it?
Clean out your AC unit.
Make sure your outside air conditioning unit is free of debris, and schedule regular maintenance to keep it running efficiently.
Trust the trees.
A well-placed tree around your property can reduce cooling costs by 25%. But remember, before you plant a tree, make it power-line friendly by following these guidelines for planting locations:
- Plant leafy shade trees in the south and west
- Plant evergreens in the north
Clean your dryer ducts.
Lint can accumulate in our dryer ducts over time. Buildup can cause your dryer to dry your clothes less efficiently, requiring multiple runs to finish the cycle. Cleaning out your ducts ensures you use just the necessary amount of energy to keep your clothes dry and comfortable!
Replace your air filters.
Replacing your filters improves air quality and reduces strain on your HVAC system. If you live in an apartment, some complexes will replace your filters for you. Check in and see when your next scheduled filter replacement is!
For more ways to save energy, click here.
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