5 Tips to Save on Energy this Summer

August 6, 2020 | Home Tips

The average summer day in Essex County and around the Windsor area can feel scorching. Temperatures in July and August regularly reach highs of 30°C, which doesn’t take into account the humidity that can make it feel even hotter. Although many families are able to escape to beaches and cottages, it doesn’t make those hot, humid weekdays any easier.

It’s extremely tempting to go all out when cooling your house in the summer. Running the air conditioning or fans 24/7 might feel good, but when you get your energy bill, you won’t feel as elated. If this is your first summer in a new home you’ve just purchased from one of our Windsor real estate agents, it definitely pays to be conservative with energy use until you’re accustomed to the home’s usual output.

Thankfully, there are lots of ways that you can save money and still stay cool this summer. With a few minor habit changes and a bit of effort, you can cool down while saving tons of energy.

Here are our best tips for ways you can slash your energy bill while keeping your new home cool and comfortable this summer.

 

1. Never Cool an Empty House

Our best advice – which is probably the most obvious – is that you should never be paying to cool your home if you’re not there to enjoy it. When you leave for the day, turn off fans (except for one or two if they’re in a central area), and central air conditioning. Then, when you get home, turn everything back on again. It won’t take long for the house to cool back down, and you’ll have saved hours’ worth of cooling costs.

The Ontario Ministry of Energy recommends keeping your home between 25°C and 27°C while it’s occupied, and at 28°C if you’re planning on being out for more than 4 hours.

 

2. Close Windows During the Heat of the Day

A great way to save on energy is to stop heat from entering your home in the first place. This means keeping windows and blinds closed during the most intensely hot parts of the day. Sure, increased air flow is nice, but opening your windows and blinds lets in a ton of heat.

 

The best way to approach cooling your home naturally is by following nature’s lead. Keep your windows and curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day. Then, as the evening cools down, open them back up to try and catch a breeze. Use your fans to move this cool air around as much as possible.

 

3. Use a Fan

Even if you do have central air conditioning, it never hurts to use fans for as long as you can. These appliances are definitely less powerful than any air conditioning unit, but they use a lot less energy. By opening windows only when it’s cooler outside, and using fans to move air around, you can cool down your home while using very little energy.

 

If you have a ceiling fan, make sure that it’s spinning the right way. You always want to run your fan counterclockwise in summer, and clockwise in the winter. The counterclockwise blades help to push cooler air downwards, which wicks away perspiration and helps make even the most humid areas feel more comfortable.

 

4. Switch to LEDs

If you haven’t already switched from older incandescent lightbulbs to more energy-efficient LEDs, now is the time. LED bulbs use 75% less energy, and produce much less residual heat.

 

5. Limit the Use of Kitchen Appliances

There’s a reason why people love grilling outdoors in the summer. Not only is the food delicious, but it also helps limit heat indoors. Large kitchen appliances – like our oven, microwave, and stove – create a ton of heat, and use a lot of energy. Doing whatever possible to limit the use of kitchen appliances during the hot summer months will make your evenings a lot more comfortable.

If you don’t have a grill, look into meals that you can throw together without turning on the oven or stove. Crisp, light summer rolls, pasta salads, and hearty wraps filled with veggies are all great meals that limit the use of these heat-creating appliances.

 

Staying Cool While Saving Energy is Possible

As some of the busiest real estate agents in Windsor- take it from us. It’s definitely possible to keep your home cool while saving energy. We’ve helped lots of our neighbours in the Windsor-Essex region sell their homes, and we know how much energy it takes to stay cool in the summer heat.

If you want to beat the heat by moving to a larger place with more outdoor space, or you’re looking for a breezy waterfront property, get in touch with the Dan Gemus Real Estate Team. We’d love to help you find your perfect home.

Search Posts