Go Outside! 5 Ways to Save Energy this Summer

Fire-up the Grill

Cooking on the stove top and baking in the oven can heat up your kitchen during warm spring and summer months. Stove tops and ovens increase the temperature of your home causing your air conditioner to work harder. Save energy and maintain the comfort of you home by firing-up the grill.

Cost of Cooking – Consumers Guide to Home Energy Savings

Let it All Hang Out

An average household will spend about $85 annually to operate their clothes dryer. Your clothes dryer is the second largest energy-consuming appliance in your home, second only to your refrigerator. The expected lifetime of a clothes dryer is 18 years, which will cost you approximately $1,530 to operate. Save energy and money by hanging your clothes out to dry. A simple clothes line and clothes pins are a low-cost investment to help you save energy during hot summer months.

Click here to learn more about clothes dryers and energy use

Adjust Timers

Using a timer for outdoor lights can help you save energy and time, but when was the last time you adjust the timer? If you haven’t adjusted your timers to accommodate the longer summer days you could be wasting energy. After adjusting the timer, monitor outside lights to ensure they are operating at the correct times.

For an average single family home, lighting accounts for 12% of energy use. Save money and energy, while reducing your environmental footprint by adjusting lighting timers to prevent energy waste.

Go Solar

Let the power of the sun illuminate your sidewalks, driveway and yard. Solar sensors can be added to outdoor lighting for effortless lighting and energy efficiency. Ever wonder if you remembered to turn the outside lights off when you left for work? Solar sensors can take the mystery out of outdoor lighting, while preventing energy waste.

Install small solar lights along sidewalks and walkways to improve safety and energy efficiency. Outdoor solar lights can be found at large retailers and hardware stores near you.

Take it Outside

Stop! Can you take your activity or project outside? We often miss the opportunity to take it outside. Many activities and projects can be done outside. You can reduce the amount of energy you use to cool and light your home when you spend time outside. Enjoy the sunshine and save energy when you take it outside this spring and summer.