Summer Energy Saving Tips

This time of year as the weather heats up, there are always lists of summer energy saving tips. And while most people know that replacing your conventional light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, and not using your oven during the hottest part of the day are wise moves, there are some tips that do not immediately come to mind. For example, most people do not think about the placement of their secondary refrigerator or deep freezer as an energy hog. If either (or both!) of those are in an uninsulated area, such as a hot garage, then they are having to work even harder to stay cool, as opposed to if they were in an insulated room or basement. Many energy saving lists mention turning a dishwasher to the “air dry” option, instead of the heat drying cycle. However, most would not think about also doing other heat and moisture producing tasks when the day is cooler. Moisture in the home is going to mean humidity, after all. And while many people use an outdoor grill in the summertime, it is not typically as an energy saving measure—the grill will use less energy than the oven, and the air conditioner will not have to make up for the extra heat within the home. So, you have our permission: grill out soon, in the name of energy efficiency!