As the summer temperatures increase, Garland Power & Light reminds residents of several ways to save money on energy bills while staying cool.
Summer energy saving tips
- Set the thermostat to 78° or higher in the summer. Each degree cooler can increase energy use by 6-8 percent. For example, setting the thermostat at 72° could increase energy use by up to 40 percent.
- Clean or replace filters at least once a month. Dirty filters will make the system work harder and run longer than necessary.
- Keep the air conditioning system’s condenser/evaporator coils clean to reduce energy usage and extend the unit’s life. The fin coils on the outside A/C unit can be washed with a hose. Coils on inside units are best serviced by a trained technician.
- Fans are an energy efficient way to stay cool. Fans blowing directly on you can make temperatures feel up to 4° cooler.
- Keep blinds and drapes closed to keep the house cooler. Drapes block out sunlight and heat better than blinds.
- Solar screens on windows can block out 60-70 percent of sunlight and heat.
- For more energy conservation tips, visit www.gpltexas.org/utilconstips.html.