New Tips for Improving Energy Savings This Summer
Madison, WI (PRWEB) July 10, 2014 -- Americans learn more about energy savings each year and 2014 will be no exception. While homeowners in the U.S. are doing more than ever to seal their homes and conserve power, there is always room for a new tip. The average household spends $2,000 a year on energy bills, and more than half of that goes toward heating and cooling. Furthermore, Business Insider reports that the U.S. collectively wastes nearly $146 billion a year on utilities each year by not following best practices for reducing home energy costs.
5 Easy Tips for Increased Energy Savings
What many homeowners may not realize is that opportunities to reduce their power usage are present all around their houses, and while many of the new versions of household gadgets available in 2014 are more efficient than they used to be, homeowners need to do more to save money. For families looking for ways to save some more cash this summer, the U.S. Department of Energy offers these tips:
1. Install a programmable thermostat to keep cooling at a minimum when the family is out of the house.
2. Turn off the dish washer’s automatic or heated drying cycle.
3. Make sure all windows and doors are closed when the air conditioning is on.
4. Plug major electronics into a power strip and turn off the power strips when not in use. Many of these items, even newer TVs and computers, still use several watts of power in stand-by mode.
5. Air dry clothes outside on nice days instead of using the dryer.
Prevent Over-Cooling in 2014
Something else for homeowners to keep in mind this summer is that energy savings do not have to come at the cost of reduced comfort. While people tend to associate personal comfort as a direct correlation to temperature, the relative humidity of the air actually plays a larger role. As humidity levels rise inside the house, family members begin to feel sticky and sweaty, the uncomfortable feeling most often attributed to summer weather.
The common reaction to this feeling is to crank up the AC. The end result is a slight reduction in humidity and a significant reduction in temperature. Family members are no longer hot and sweaty, now they’re cold and clammy. Energy savings suffer as well because the AC must run more often.
Energy Savings and Whole-Home Dehumidification
The best solution to keep a house comfortable and efficient this summer is a whole-home dehumidifier along with air conditioning. As the relative humidity inside falls, the family will be more comfortable at a higher temperature, so the air conditioner will run less often. With a dehumidifier, homeowners have a more efficient way to be comfortable on hot and humid days.
For more information on a whole-home dehumidifier and how you can improve energy savings this summer, visit http://www.aprilaire.com. Also, find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Aprilaire.
About Aprilaire:
We have been a brand leader in indoor air quality for more than 60 years, delivering a wide range of whole-home systems that improve comfort, health, and energy efficiency. Our brand products are sold through and installed by HVAC contractors across the United States and Canada. Visit Aprilaire.com to learn more about our total comfort solutions to air purity, freshness, and temperature.
Megan Leick, Aprilaire, http://www.aprilaire.com, +1 608-310-6167, [email protected]
Share this article