Save during the "dog days"

 

You sometimes probably wonder why your electricity bill goes up and down, and is higher at certain times of the year. If you’re paying close attention, you may have noticed that the spikes generally occur during the warm summer months and cold winter months. That’s because your heating and cooling system is working harder during these months to keep the inside of your home comfortable. Typically our highest energy use periods of the year will occur in June through September and then again in January and February. When there is a larger difference between the outside air temperature and the temperature you have the inside of your home set at, you use more energy to maintain the comfortable setting you like.

 

So what can you do to help save energy?

Get more “bang for your bark."

Fido says a good way to take control of your energy use this summer is by downloading the cooperative's free mobile app, enrolling in FlexPay, or taking advantage of the online Energy Advisor. These services allow you to understand and track your energy use on a daily basis. Knowing how your habits affect your bill allows you to make changes and save money.

Install a programable thermostat.

You can save money on your heating and cooling bills by simply controlling the temperature of your home when you are asleep or away. You can do this automatically by installing a programmable thermostat, which will allow you to adjust your thermostat on a pre-set schedule. By installing a programmable thermostat, you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling costs by automatically turning your thermostat back for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.

Raise your thermostat.

We recommend setting your thermostat to 78 degrees during the summer months and 68 degrees during the winter months. When you are away from home, you can bump the thermostat up during summer and down during the winter by 7 to 10 degrees if you have a programmable or smart thermostat. You can save up to 10 percent on your heating and cooling costs by adjusting your thermostat while you are away.

Throw your air conditioner a bone.

When it’s hot outside, your air conditioner needs all the help it can get. Open interior doors and vents to help air circulate and reduce the strain on your HVAC system. You can also close exterior doors and windows, as well as any blinds, shades or curtains, to help keep the heat of the day out and cooled air in.

Put your energy use on “paws.”

Waiting to use major appliances, especially those that generate heat like the clothes dryer and dishwasher, until the late evening, overnight or early morning hours can help your home stay cooler.

Fetch a fan for easy savings.

Instead of turning down the thermostat, opt for a ceiling or portable fan. Make sure your ceiling fan turns counter clockwise during hot weather to push cool air down. Remember to turn fans off when you’re not using them; fans cool you, not the room.

 

for more tips and tools on how to save.