8 Ways To Lower Your Utility Bills This Summer

8 Ways To Lower Your Utility Bills This Summer (And Be Kinder To Mother Earth!) Did you know the average American household spends about $2,200 on energy bills each year? %24 Not only is it expensive, it's harmful for the environment too. In 2014, 41% of total U.S. energy usage was consumed in residential and commercial buildings, or about 40 quadrillion British thermal units. 41% Here are some tips that will not only cut costs, but also make for a much greener (and happier) Earth. Turn Off Fans When Leaving a Room A constantly running ceiling fan adds about $7 to your monthly utility bill. Whenever you decide to run a ceiling fan, simply raise the thermostat setting by 4°F, which will cut cooling costs by 4-6% without added discomfort. Install efficient ceiling fans which consume 40% less electricity than standard fans and will pay for themselves in just 3 ½ years. Replace Older A/C Units If your unit is more than 10 years old and requires repairs or is not running efficiently, it may be beneficial to replace the unit. Upgrading to a more efficient A/C could reduce energy expenditures by up to 30%! Know your A/C's SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measurement! The higher the number, the more energy efficient your unit is (the average rating is 13). Upgrading to a more efficient A/C could reduce energy expenditures by 30% (standard units account for 5% of all energy usage in the U.S.). Invest In a Programmable Thermostat Set the thermostat to 78° or higher then leave it there. For every degree below that set- ting, you'll use 3-4% more electricity. 78° Set the thermostat even higher while away from home for extended periods to save even more money and energy (but no more than 5° higher). Maximize Washer and Dryer Usage When doing laundry, use cold water instead of hot in your washing machine, which can save you over $3 per month. The dryer typically accounts for 5% of your monthly electric bill, but keeping the lint trap clean on a regular basis will dry clothes faster and lower energy expenditures. Clean or Change Out A/C Filters A clean filter will maximize your unit's cooling potential, and filters should typically be replaced every 3 months for an average-sized home. Monitor Water Heater Temperatures By reducing your water heater from 140° to 120°, which is the U.S. Department of Energy's recommended temperature setting, you will save $2 per month. Replace Standard Shower Heads Instead of settling for an outdated high-flow shower head, install a water efficient shower head, which will save you up to $80 per year. Change Out Old Light Bulbs By replacing old or burned-out bulbs with Com- pact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs, you will save about $50 in energy costs throughout the bulb's lifespan. 24 SOURCES: http://www.carnival.com/itinerary/13-day-transatlantic-cruise/barcelona/vista/13-days/ta0/?numGuests=4&destination= all-destinations&dest=any&datFrom=032015&datTo=042017 -- https://www.fpl.com/save/lower-bill/heating-cooling.html https://www.uaex.edu/publications/PDF/FSA-1053.pdf http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/heat_cool/top_ten_tips_2004.doc http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/2014/04/13/4-air-conditioning-terms-that-could-save-you-thousands https://www.allstate.com/tools-and-resources/home-insurance/change-home-air-filter.aspx http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/air-conditioning http://www.georgiapower.com/promos/green-news-summer/beatHeat.html https://www.fpl.com/save/lower-bill.html Brought to you by: ARCTIC AIR SERVICES INC.