Are you starting to feel the squeeze with higher energy bills this summer? With so much focus on increasing gasoline and other oil-based fuel prices, people sometimes overlook just how much electric rates are also surging across the nation, as well as right here in Southern Delaware and Southeast Pennsylvania.
In line with that, Poore’s Propane and Oil is here to help in any way that we can. Here are eight concrete steps to reduce your summer energy usage without sacrificing your comfort.
Clothes washers and dishwashers are designed to run with full loads. If you’re running them partially full, you are wasting water and energy. Hold off until they’re full—you’ll end up running fewer cycles and using less energy to do so.
Plus, washing clothes and dishes on cold settings reduces the fuel you use in heating water!
Every time you open an oven, the inside temperature drops by at least 25 degrees. This forces your appliance to burn more fuel to restore the heat setting. So, avoid opening the door and use the oven light instead.
Similarly, the longer the fridge door is open, the more electricity it must use to keep food cool. Make your food choice before opening the refrigerator or freezer, and just be more mindful when searching for a snack!
By keeping your reflecting blinds or curtains drawn in daylight hours, you prevent sunlight from heating your space and causing your A/C to cycle more often.
Smart thermostats let you pre-program your home temperature to be higher when you’re away or asleep, and then lower it again when you’re awake and at home. They can also make power-saving adjustments when they sense rooms are empty. These temperature tweaks save you money on electric bills.
Did you know that incandescent bulbs waste 95 percent of their energy as heat instead of light? You can remedy this by switching them out with energy-efficient LEDs or halogen bulbs.
Heating water accounts for almost 20 percent of your home’s energy costs. You can make a dent in that expense by taking a cooler shower during the summer, which is quite refreshing too! Since the average shower uses 2.5 gallons of water per minute, shaving four minutes off your daily shower saves nearly 3,650 gallons yearly!
Even if you have a high-efficiency A/C system, you could still end up wasting energy because of poor insulation. Here are some steps you can take to keep the cool air inside:
Finally, ensuring your cooling equipment is working at peak efficiency is crucial. Bring in Poore’s expert HVAC technicians to perform their 14-point heating/cooling tune-up. You can also get an affordable service plan that includes this routine maintenance. The energy savings you enjoy will quickly offset the cost of the plan!
Ready for your annual tune-up? Drop us a line today to arrange an appointment.
