Summer Energy Saving Tips
The Texas summer heat is returning, but when temperatures soar, your utility bills don’t have to as well. Follow Whisper Valley‘s summer energy saving tips to help you save money and increase your home’s overall efficiency.
Program Your Thermostat
Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher during the summer. According to the Public Utility Commission of Texas, every degree of extra cooling will increase energy usage 6-8 percent. To stay comfortable, utilize ceiling fans and portable fans.
When leaving the home for more than four hours, raise your thermostat to 80 degrees or higher. If you’re able to invest in a smart thermostat like the Nest Learning Thermostat, your thermostat will learn your habits and adapt to help heat and cool your home to keep your comfortable while saving you money.
Chore Tips
Avoid heat and humidity-generating activities like running the dishwasher, using the oven and laundering clothes during the heat of the day. Save these activities for the early morning or night to keep your house cooler and reduce your utility bills.
Since ovens can heat up the entire kitchen, try to instead use a microwave, pressure cooker, slow cooker, grill or choose no-cook recipes like salads and sandwiches to keep your kitchen cool. Another energy-hungry appliance is your clothes dryer. Take advantage of the longer days by hanging clothes to dry outside, or buy a folding drying rack that you can use indoors and stow away when your done.
If you’re able to invest in new home appliances, energy-efficient home appliances can help significantly reduce your electric bills.
Unplug and Turn Off
Don’t forget to turn off fans and lights when you leave a room, as well as unplug appliances and electronic devices when you are not using them. They use energy even when turned off, adding to your utility bills.
Seal and Insulate
Now is the time to inspect your home for air leaks and poor attic insulation. You’ll keep cool air in and warm air out by making sure your attic is thoroughly insulated and checking weatherstripping on doors and windows. You might also consider hiring a home energy professional to perform a comprehensive energy audit to pinpoint specific energy saving solutions for your home.
Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Home
Are you ready to move into a new, energy-efficient home ahead of the Austin summer heat? Whisper Valley is unlike any other community in Texas thanks to our innovative sustainable design. Our EcoSmart program employs a first-of-its-kind geothermal energy loop field in combination with solar PV systems to make our homes zero-energy capable.
Whisper Valley is excited to deliver sustainable housing to Austin at an affordable price point. We invite you to head to our community and visit our Discovery Center to learn more about how geothermal energy works in our homes. For more information about the EcoSmart Solution and homes in Whisper Valley, contact us.