8 Ways To Lower Your Electric Bill This Spring & Summer

Knoxville, TN, is notorious for its hot, muggy summers, making reliable cooling imperative. But all that extra reliance on your air conditioning system can result in higher energy bills. So, how can you strike the right balance between keeping cool and ensuring optimal energy efficiency?

In this blog post, the comfort specialists at Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Cooling share eight energy-saving tips that Knoxville families can use to ensure optimal comfort while minimizing their utility bills through spring and summer.

Turn Off the AC

When heat and humidity creep into the Knoxville area, it can be tempting to crank up the AC and leave it running all day and night. But doing this can significantly raise your energy bills. That’s why it’s recommended that you turn off your air conditioner whenever you aren’t at home or don’t need it running at full capacity.

During the summer, it’s recommended by local utility providers that you keep your thermostat set no lower than 78º–80º Fahrenheit.

Consider raising the temperature before you leave home for an extended period and before you go to sleep. Every degree you raise the thermostat has the potential to save 3% to 5% on your cooling costs.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

Switching to a programmable or smart thermostat can provide tremendous energy savings. Programmable thermostats allow you to pre-schedule temperature fluctuations based on your daily schedule.

This eliminates the hassle of manually manipulating your thermostat while allowing you to return to a cool, comfortable home. You can also set the thermostat to turn off AC during the day when no one is home and then turn it on again at night.

Smart thermostats can provide even more savings than their non-programmable counterparts. They can be remote-controlled via a smartphone app or web-based portal, allowing you to change the temperature on the go. Many smart thermostats also come with energy insights, highlighting additional ways you can save on your utility bills.

Install ENERGY STAR® Appliances

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates ENERGY STAR® ratings, making it the most trusted indication of energy efficiency for appliances. Appliances with an ENERGY STAR certification consume less energy than those without.

For instance, ACs that are ENERGY STAR-certified use approximately 8% to 15% less energy than their non-certified counterparts. That equates to about $85 worth of energy savings for the duration of your AC system’s lifespan.

ENERGY STAR appliances also often qualify for federal, state, and local rebates and tax incentives, further adding to your savings potential. Review the eligibility requirements for each program to ensure the appliances you install or replace in your home qualify for maximum savings.

For additional information on ENERGY STAR, you can visit the website.

Turn on the Fan

Another excellent way to lower energy costs for your home during spring and summer in Knoxville is by turning on your ceiling fan or using a portable fan. Compared to the energy consumed by air conditioning systems, ceiling fans don’t use nearly as much electricity.

It’s important to note that ceiling fans don’t cool spaces by lowering the temperature but rather provide a gentle breeze that cools the room. If no one is in the room where the fan is turned on, turn it off to avoid consuming more energy than necessary.

Block out the Sun

Having the right window treatments installed can significantly reduce your energy costs. Direct sunlight can increase the temperature of any room, causing your AC to work harder than necessary to keep your home comfortable during the summer.

By installing blinds and drapes in your home, you can help minimize sun exposure and enhance HVAC efficiency, leading to lower cooling costs. In fact, blinds can reduce heat gain by up to 45%, while drapes can minimize thermal transfer by up to 33%, providing significant savings on the hottest days of the year.

Turn off the Lights

This recommendation might seem obvious to some, but it bears repeating: Remember to turn off the lights before leaving the room or your home. Especially if you rely on incandescent or halogen bulbs, leaving these on while you’re away can generate heat, increasing strain on your AC and potentially raising your energy bills.

By switching off the lights in your home, you can minimize heat while reducing energy consumption. Better yet, consider switching to LED light bulbs to further reduce your utility bills and minimize heat gain in your home.

Clean Your AC Vents

While some families might believe that closing their air conditioning vents will help save them money, this is not true. Obstructed vents can prevent air from circulating properly, causing your system to work harder than necessary to satisfy your comfort demands.

Before the hot summer weather arrives, inspect your air vents and make sure they’re unobstructed. Take the time to clean your air vents thoroughly, as this will further increase AC efficiency and reduce cooling expenses.

Schedule Annual AC Maintenance

It’s recommended that you schedule an air conditioning system check at the end of winter or early spring, before warm weather arrives and you need to rely on your cooling system.

During your AC maintenance service, we’ll clean and inspect your unit thoroughly to optimize efficiency and strengthen reliability for lower utility bills and reduced repair needs on the hottest days of the year.

If it’s been over a year since your last AC maintenance, turn to Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Cooling to get the job done right.

Contact us today to schedule AC maintenance in Knoxville.