ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — The National Weather Service has issued its summer outlook for the United States, and it can be described in one word, HOT! We are expected to be warmer than normal across most of the U.S. More than one out of six, or 20 million, households are already behind on their energy bills and the reality that people may not be able to afford to pay for air conditioning and electricity for fans is not just uncomfortable, it can be deadly. Beat the heat.
According to the National Weather Service, extreme heat causes more deaths each year than any other weather event. So, how can you beat the heat and save on your utility bill?
First, call your utility company and ask for a ‘time of use plan’, you pay lower rates during off-peak hours. You can save money by washing clothes and running the dishwasher between 9PM and 6AM.
And when you’re washing your clothes, use cold water lowering the temp from 75 to 60 degrees can save sixty dollars a year.
The second largest energy user in your home is the hot water heater. Lowering the temperature from 140 to 120 degrees can save three to five percent on your energy costs.
Just by switching to LED light bulbs can save too. They consume 90 percent less energy and last 25 times longer. The average person can save 225 dollars a year by making the switch.
Use smart plugs or power strips to conserve energy. When you turn off a coffeemaker or TV, it continues to draw electricity if it’s plugged into the wall. Smart plugs detect when you’re no longer using a device and automatically turns off the power supply.
And get used to adjusting your thermostat. Set the temp at 78 when you’re home and 82 degrees when you’re away. Each degree you raise your thermostat between 75 and 78 can save you five percent on your monthly cooling costs.
Remember to turn off your ceiling fan when you leave the room and don’t forget in the summertime, experts say to replace your air filter once a month. It can save you up to 15 percent on your utility bill.
Contributors to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Producer; Bob Walko, Editor.
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