ADD SOME GREEN TO YOUR SUMMER: 4 STEPS TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY

When it comes to energy efficiency, is your home a well-oiled machine in the summertime? Are your utility bills adding up each month? Summer proof your home with these tips:

GET SMART WITH YOUR THERMOSTAT

A programmable thermostat can go a long way towards fixing your energy-efficiency issues. Think of it as cruise control for your HVAC system.

When you leave for work in the morning, program your home to drift into the 82-85º F mark. Once you’re on your way home for the day, set your system to a comfortable 78º F. That way, you won’t be cooling unoccupied space all day.

USE CEILING FANS TO BOOST YOUR COOL FACTOR

When used together, your cooling system and ceiling fans have amazing, heat-fighting powers. Ceiling fans reduce your perception of heat at a fraction of the energy costs. With your HVAC system dialed in at 78º F and the fan going strong, your home will feel comfortable and breezy. Remember: for this tip to work, your fan must be rotating counter clockwise. 

DIAL DOWN KITCHEN APPLIANCES

The average electric range consumes more than 4,000 watts of electricity when using all of its burners. A common side effect is a super-hot kitchen, which requires your heating and cooling system to work harder to condition the area. The result: high energy bills and discomfort.

Your microwave is a great way to sidestep this summer cooking conundrum. Using much less energy and “waste heat,” it’s a great way to prep or cook a meal. You can also go raw for the summer, choosing dishes that don’t require heating. If hot meals are your thing, cooking on your grill is another way to keep the warmth outdoors and your kitchen cool during the summer. 

STAKE ENERGY VAMPIRES

Hiding in plain view, many ordinary appliances gobble up your comfort and hard-earned money. Though they may seem “powered down” at first glance, many are actually in standby mode.

Laptops, phones and tablets are devices that contribute to this energy loss. Some appliances draw current even when turned off. TV’s are notorious offenders. To give energy vampires the boot, power down your devices and unplug when not in use.

TAKEAWAY

With a few simple lifestyle changes, your home can go from energy zapped to energy savvy this summer. To take energy savings even further, a Mitsubishi Electric ductless system is the way to go. Combining a well-engineered design with energy-efficient comfort, ductless is is the standout heating and cooling solution of today.