With summer finally here, you may be thinking about how many more loads of laundry you’ll be doing now that school is out and the kids will have much more time to get their clothes dirty. You may also be thinking about how often you’ll be running the air conditioner to combat the rising temperature, how often the lawn should be watered and mowed, or just how far that long-distance road trip you’ve been wanting to take should be. All of these things have one thing in common: they consume energy.
Energy consumption is an unavoidable aspect of our lifestyle choices and comes with a cost to the environment and our wallets. From the electricity used to power our homes and appliances to the fuel used for daily transport to our jobs or those occasional road trips, we all consume energy in various ways. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce energy consumption and minimize our carbon footprint while also saving money. In this article, Repair Clinic will explore ten ways to make your home and lifestyle more energy-efficient this summer.
Ten different ways to conserve energy and save money this Summer
While lists like these can seem daunting, know that adopting even four or five of these ideas can make a difference in the amount of energy you use.
- Use energy-efficient appliances – One of the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption is to use energy-efficient appliances. Look for appliances with the Energy Star label, which indicates that they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Energy-efficient appliances consume less energy than older, less efficient models, and can significantly reduce your energy bills over time.
- Upgrade your home’s lighting – Replacing your traditional incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs can reduce your energy consumption by up to 75%. In addition to using less energy, LED bulbs can last up to 30 times longer. They also produce less heat, which can help reduce cooling costs during the summer months.
- Install a programmable thermostat – A programmable thermostat allows you to adjust the temperature of your home based on your schedule, which can help reduce energy consumption and save money. For example, you can adjust the temperature to be higher while you’re away from home taking that summer vacation, but schedule the thermostat to lower the temperature in the house the day of your return. Watch the embedded video below to learn how to install a new White Rodgers Sensi Smart wall thermostat.
- Seal your home – Air leaks in your home can cause your window or wall air conditioner or central air system to work harder, using more energy in the process. Caulking windows or using weather stripping to better seal the windows and doors in your home will prevent the cool air from escaping and the hot humid air from entering.
- Use fans instead of air conditioning – Using a ceiling or floor fan instead of air conditioning can help reduce energy consumption and keep your home cool during the summer months. Fans use less energy than air conditioning and can be just as effective in keeping you comfortable.
- Wash clothes in cold water – Washing clothes in cold water can help you save energy and money on your utility bills. Using cold water instead of hot water can also help your clothes last longer.
- Take shorter showers – No, we’re not recommending you only take cold showers, but reducing the length of your showers will definitely help conserve water and reduce energy consumption. Heating water requires a lot of energy, so you can reduce the amount of energy you use by taking shorter showers. Other water conservation tips include fixing leaking faucets, and installing low-flow toilets and showerheads.
- Use energy-saving features and plan when you use them – Many electronics and appliances come with energy-saving features that can help reduce energy consumption. For example, turning on the power-saving mode on your computer or using the sleep mode on your TV can significantly reduce the energy these products use. Also, find out if your energy utility company has higher “peak hour” electrical rates and when those rates take effect (often between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.), then avoid running the washing machine, dishwasher, or air conditioner during those hours to save money.
- Install solar panels – Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal power can help reduce energy consumption and lower carbon emissions. Not all of these are practical for the average homeowner. Still, solar panels are becoming more affordable and accessible, and you may have noticed that more of your neighbors are installing these on the side of their homes or on the roof to generate their own electricity. Since the sun will be a more prominent part of our lives this summer, it makes sense to take advantage of it.
- Plant trees and shrubs – Planting trees and shrubs around your home will help reduce the amount of energy you use this summer by providing shade for the home so your air conditioner or central air system won’t have to work as hard. Additionally, the trees and shrubs can act as a windbreak during the winter months so your home can better retain heat.
Free repair help to get the most out of your appliances and equipment
You can also help conserve energy by keeping your home appliances, lawn and garden equipment, and heating and cooling units in good condition. To help you do that, Repair Clinic provides free repair help in the form of instructional videos, articles, step-by-step guides, and schematics you can find right now in the “Videos & Articles” section of its website. Looking for ways to properly maintain your window or wall air conditioner? Repair Clinic has an article to help you. Does your lawn mower need a tune-up to be more fuel efficient? Repair Clinic has a video to show you how. Is your gas dryer taking too long to dry? Learn about the five things you should troubleshoot to solve that problem and save energy.
All the parts you need in one convenient place
More than just a great resource for free repair help, Repair Clinic also stocks millions of genuine OEM replacement parts from such appliance industry leaders as Bosch, KitchenAid, Kenmore, Maytag, Samsung, GE, Frigidaire, LG, and Whirlpool, plus lawn and garden titans Briggs & Stratton, Craftsman, Echo, Homelite, Honda, Husqvarna, Lawn Boy, MTD, Mantis, Poulan Pro, Ryobi, Toro, and Troy-Bilt, along with the biggest names in HVAC like Lennox, Frigidaire, Goodman, Rheem, York, Carrier, Payne, and Honeywell. All of these parts can be found in one convenient place; just enter the full model number of your appliance or equipment in the Repair Clinic website search bar to reveal a comprehensive list of genuine manufacturer parts compatible with that model. With Repair Clinic as your repair partner, you’ll be able to properly maintain the products you use most to save both energy and money.