During the hot months of summer, many people are unpleasantly surprised by electricity bills that are much higher than what they anticipated. Well, summer also has its downsides!
However, the good news is that it is possible to greatly reduce your monthly electricity bill by simply lowering your energy consumption.
Here are a few energy saving tips.
Tip # 1: Air dry your dishes
Although the dishwasher is a fabulous appliance, keep in mind that it should be used with moderation all year long—and that includes summertime! That’s why we recommend that you air dry your dishes. This saves a lot of energy (as well as a few dollars).
Tip # 2: Choose the microwave instead of the range
During the summer, opt for easy-to-cook recipes. Even if you risk missing your range for a little while, choosing the microwave when preparing your meals can translate into real savings, since it consumes only a third of the electricity required by a range!
Tip # 3: Keep a full refrigerator
The refrigerator is undoubtedly the home appliance that consumes the most energy! It requires an impressive amount of electricity just to operate. However, you can control this to a large extent by keeping your refrigerator full of food. This slows down the warming process whenever the door is opened.
Tip # 4: Replace the filters in your air conditioning
You can’t beat the comfort of air conditioning during summer! But, if your AC system contains filters, don’t forget to clean them regularly. Left un-cleaned and full of dirt, they reduce the efficiency of the appliance while making it consume a lot more energy.
Tip # 5: Opt for Energy Star® appliances
Energy Star® appliances are recognized for having a higher energy performance than other appliances. This is true for refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers and washing machines: All these appliances consume less electricity without any reduction in effectiveness. The Energy Star ® mention is a label managed (for Canada) by the Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE). It certifies that the appliance complies with the energy performance standards established by the organization. Unfortunately, the Energy Star ® rating does not exist for dryers. We refer instead to an Energuide rating.
Tip # 6: Turn off appliances that you don’t use
Although this tip applies all year long, it is also important to pay attention to it during the summer. To do this, disconnect or do not connect devices that you don’t use (ex.: computer, printer, etc.). Also make sure to turn off lights that you do not need. To this point, you should remember that LED light bulbs consume much less energy than conventional bulbs, are dimmable, and last much longer.