Heat it up this Summer to Stay Cool
May 29, 2008 – 10:46 amWelcome to Working For Financial Freedom. If this is your first visit please read about this blog. You can keep updated by subscribing by email or to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
I’ll admit. I like it cool in my house when it’s hot outside. Two summers ago after having my 3rd little one, my hormones made me run hot and I had the AC set at 69 degrees! Yep. 69. I didn’t even realize how low that was until last summer when I was able to have it at 71 without a problem.
Turn It Up
It’s been found you can save 7-10% on your electric bill for every degree above 78 you keep your thermostat on. While we haven’t quite reached high savings like that (our thermostat is set at 72 degrees) there are a few things we are doing in the meantime.
- During the night I turn the thermostat downstairs up to 78.
- If we are going to be gone from the house for a few hours I turn up both thermostats a few degrees.
If you want to increase your thermostat this summer to lower your electric bill, but fear the heat, remember one tip. Make changes SLOWLY. If you are used to having a thermostat at 71 everyday don’t turn it up to 80 tonight and expect to be comfortable. Turn it up to 72. Wait a few days or a week and turn it up to 73. Give you and your family time to adjust to the temperature. Stop turning up the thermostat when you are getting sweaty watching TV or the kids ask to go outside to cool off.
Off-Peak Hours Can Save You
Not one of those who can set the A/C to 80 and sleep well? Find other ways to save on your electric bill by learning about off-peak hours. Most electric companies charge a lower rate for electricity used during off-peak hours. My electric company (Progress Energy) defines their off-peak hours as such:
From April 1st-September 30th 9 pm - 1o am
October 1st- March 31st 1 - 4 pm and 9 pm -6 am
Weekends and holidays are included as off-peak days
Take advantage of lower off-peak rates by running your dishwasher and washer and dryer during those hours. I can program my dishwasher to run during the middle of the night. I also program my washing machine to run while I’m sleeping. When I wake up the wash cycle is done and the clothes are ready for me to throw in the dryer. Check out your local electric company’s website for more information about off-peak hours and rates.
Other tips to keep cool without it paying a bundle:
- Replace air filters monthly. Most air filters advertise that they last 3 months. Recently we had some work done on an A/C unit and the technician recommended that filters should be changed more often that every 3 months. Dirty air filters can increase your electric bill by 20%
- Keep plants, shrubs and bushes trimmed so they are at least 18 inches away from your outside A/C unit to allow air to flow freely.
- Use your ceiling fans. Ceiling fans can make it feel 3-4 degrees cooler, but only cost approximately .05 an hour to operate.
More tips for increasing A/C efficiency and lowering your electric bill during the summertime can be found at Progress Energy’s website.
5 Responses to “Heat it up this Summer to Stay Cool”
I live in Florida and I don’t know what it is, but I had mine set to 77 until yesterday when I decided I was tired of being so freaking cold so I switched it to 79 and have been comfortable since. I don’t know if it’s other factors that keep my house cool or what, but I find that until it hits about 83 in here I am comfortable. I know, I am crazy. But yikes, 71 and I’d be in my parka LOL!
By Emily on May 29, 2008
You should be able to set your thermostat to 81 degrees and acclimate those in your household to that setting. If your trying to save money don’t use your dishwasher and hang your clothes out to dry on a line in the yard. I still have yet to use my ac it’s 86 degrees but with the ceiling fans I am not uncomfortable. My electric bills usually never go above $20.00 per month, now that is saving electricity and the environment on my small scale.
By John on May 29, 2008
Emily,
Looks like I keep my house a lot cooler than others. I wonder if house layout makes a difference (I have 2 story ceilings in my family room) or the fact that I’m pregnant? I don’t know. But ya’ll inspired me and I turned it up to 73 yesterday ha ha! I’ll try 74 tomorrow.
John,
I have to disagree on not using the dishwasher. Not using the dishwasher would save me on my electric bill, but it would increase my water and gas bill. Handwashing dishes uses more water than the dishwasher (I’m talking about full loads here). The more water I use, the more hot water I would need which would increase the gas bill. We have a gas hot water heater.
I’m really impressed with your $20.00 electric bill, that is amazing. In the winter our electric bill runs about $45-$50 (since we don’t use the A/C and heat is powered by gas).
By Momof3 on May 30, 2008
You are right, using your dishwasher does use less water. But if you set it to air dry and don’t let the dishwasher dry them, then you will save energy and not waste water.
I think it would make a huge difference in home temp comfort level due to layout also. I am in a Florida ranch - 2 stories would definitely make it hotter and I’d run the a/c more. You have to do what makes YOU and your family comfortable. I still have unfond memories of my home either being too cold or too hot when I was growing up. Frugality isn’t all that matters - so be comfortable too!
By Emily on Jun 2, 2008
Emily,
Thanks for the reminder. I had turned off the heat mode on the dishwasher mode but turned it back and can’t remember why. I’ll change it back to air dry tonight!
We definetly made a change with our thermostat the past few days, although I can’t promise we’ll be able to turn it up to 82 degrees
On Saturday my hubby rebeled and turned it down to 71 (it was 90 outside). We compromised on 73 for a few hours. But I agree, no need to sit around hot and sweaty.
By Momof3 on Jun 2, 2008