Save money while staying cool
Clinton Bourgeois
Story Created:
Jul 3, 2012 at 7:16 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Jul 3, 2012 at 7:30 PM EDT
During this week's heat wave, we may have been getting our money's worth out of our air conditioning units. But what is meant to keep us cool may be burning a hole in our wallets.
"Your air conditioning is one of your highest energy users in your home," said Marian Douglas of Flint Energies.
Douglas said it is best to keep your units running throughout the day.
"But increase the temperature when your away from home."
Whether you're trying to keep a two story house or an apartment unit cool, the same simple maintenance tips will save you come bill time. First eliminate as much heat entering you home as possible.
"Turning your blinds to bounce the light away from the house," said Douglas. "Curtains are a good way to combat the heat coming in."
Limiting heat producing items.
"Changing from incandescent, the old light bulb, to the new CFL's (Compact Fluorescent)."
And to make sure the cool air your unit is pumping into your home, stays in your home.
"If you can see light around your door frame or a window frame," said Douglas. "Pick up a tube of caulking or weather stripping and seal up those gaps."
Douglas also recommends closing the vents to rooms that are not frequently used so that air is redirected to a more common area.
Following these few tips will save you pennies, quarters, and dollars come bill time.
If you think your energy bill may be a little excessive, you can do an on-line audit free of charge or have a flint energy representative visit your home for a varying cost.
Flint also offers the Smart Select Load Management program, where Flint manages your utilities during the summer months.
For more money saving tips you can visit Flint Energies website, flintenergies.com.
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