Energy Bills

10 Energy Saving Tips For the Summer

10 Energy-Saving Tips for the Summer

Managing Unpredictable Summers In New England

Energy Bills
10 Energy Saving Tips for the Summer

Here is a helpful guide for our fellow New Englanders with tips for saving on your energy bills this summer while keeping your home comfortable and cool. We suggest using a variety of practices mentioned here, some free and some paid. Using one or more of these methods is proven to reduce your energy bills during the summer while keeping your home comfortable during those hot July days in New England.

Before you get started, our first suggestion for our homeowners is to conduct an energy assessment. An energy assessment will help you understand where your home could improve in it’s energy efficiency such as finding air leaks, degraded insulation, and a number of other factors that could affect your energy efficiency and thus, how much you can save on your energy bills this summer. 

You can first try conducting an energy assessment yourself! Use this guide provided by the Department of Energy to learn how to do a DIY energy assessment.

The Department of Energy also provides helpful resources for finding and scheduling a home energy assessment with a professional.

1. Embrace Natural Ventilation

10 Energy Saving Tips for the Summer
A fan to boost airflow through a window

One easy way to save on your energy bills during the summer is to let Mother Nature do some of the work! Utilize cross-ventilation by opening windows on opposite sides of your home. This creates a natural breeze that can significantly cool down your living spaces. This method works best in early morning and evening/night hours as the sun won’t be nearly as hot or hitting your home directly.  Be sure to pay attention to where your windows are  as well. Windows in shady areas will always be your best bet.

Tip: Install screen doors to keep bugs out while letting the fresh air in. Ceiling fans are also a great addition, as they enhance air circulation without using as much energy as air conditioning.

2. Install Energy-Efficient Windows

If opening your windows just isn’t cutting it, upgrading to energy-efficient windows can make a world of difference when trying to save on energy bills this summer. Look for windows with low-E coatings that reflect heat while letting light in. These windows help maintain a consistent indoor temperature, reducing the need for constant air conditioning.

Ready for new windows? Check out our helpful guide to choosing energy efficient windows.

Tip: For an extra layer of insulation, consider installing double or triple-pane windows. They might be a bit pricier upfront but will pay off in energy savings over time.

3. Utilize Smart Thermostats

10 Energy Saving Tips for the Summer
Control your homes temperature from anywhere with Smart Thermostats

Save on energy bills using smart thermostats. These modern-day thermostats are a game changer-they allow you to program your cooling schedule and adjust the temperature remotely via your smartphone. Plus, they can learn your habits and optimize cooling for maximum efficiency. So no more forgetting to turn the AC on for the pets at home or forgetting to turn it off while you head to the beach house for the week…yikes!! Make your life easier with this smart option and save on your energy bills while you’re at it!

Tip: Set your thermostat a few degrees higher when you’re away from home and lower it just before you return. This small change can lead to significant savings. More savings = more house projects! Yay!

4. Optimize Insulation

Proper insulation isn’t just for keeping warm in the winter; it also keeps the cool air in during the summer. Check your attic, walls, and floors for insulation gaps and upgrade where necessary. This change can effectively help you save on energy bills this summer and into the cold winter months as well. Red House Build Design is experienced in this part of home design and will happily assist in replacing and updating insulation.

Tip: Consider spray foam insulation for hard-to-reach areas. It provides a superior seal against heat loss and gain, ensuring your home stays comfortable year-round. Our team can certainly help with this during your project.

5. Install Solar Panels

Harness the power of the sun to cut down on your energy bills. Solar panels are an excellent long-term investment that can significantly reduce your electricity costs. Many New England states offer incentives and rebates to help offset the initial installation costs.

Tip: Pair your solar panels with a battery storage system to store excess energy for use during peak times or outages.

6. Landscape for Shade

10 Energy Saving Tips for the Summer
Exterior work done by Red House Design Build in East Greenwich RI Photos by Aaron Usher III

Strategically planting trees and shrubs around your home can provide natural shade and reduce heat entering your home. This is a cost-effective way to lower cooling costs and save on energy bills while also enhancing your home’s curb appeal. This option is a favorite among homeowners; savings and curb appeal!

Tip: Plant deciduous trees, which provide shade in the summer and let sunlight through in the winter when their leaves fall. Cooling in the summer and heating in the winter!

7. Saving on Energy Bills Using Efficient Appliances

That unsightly, old window air conditioner is probably a total energy hog. Upgrading to ENERGY STAR-certified appliances can cut your energy use significantly and help you save on energy bills. Look for models with high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings for maximum efficiency. While a new AC may be a bit expensive, the savings over time will surely outweigh this!

Tip: Regular maintenance of your HVAC system, such as cleaning or replacing filters, ensures it runs efficiently and lasts longer.

8. Don’t Underestimate Your Window Treatments 

Blinds, shades, and curtains can do more than just add style to your home; they can also block out the sun’s heat and help you save on energy bils. Close them during the hottest parts of the day to keep your home cooler. This is an easy, but sometimes overlooked solution. We know you love to let in all that natural light, but it is quite literally creating an oven in your home! Just close the shades and take a nap, we won’t tell.

Tip: Consider installing reflective or insulated window treatments for added energy efficiency.

9. Cool Roofing Materials

What’s that? Cool roofs? Is this a roof that rides a Harley and drinks whiskey neat? While this concept is cool, cool roofs are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than standard roofing materials. Thus, making your home COOL. These roofing materials are a somewhat new concept, but worthy of consideration to keep energy costs low. We know you all have attics that feel like saunas, imagine how that affects the rest of your home!

Learn more about Cool Roofs here!

Tip: Light-colored or reflective shingles are great options for a cool roof. Metal roofing with reflective coatings is also a durable and efficient choice.

10. Close Your Doors!

During the day, you likely aren’t using every room in your home. If you have the option to, close bedroom doors, bathroom doors, and any other non essential day time use rooms. This can really improve your overall AC efficiency during the day while also saving on your energy bills. The less square footage you are trying to keep cool, the more you will save!

Your doors may still be older and drafty though, in that case we recommend checking this article out about energy saving doors

 

Saving on energy bills during the summer shouldn’t mean sacrificing comfort. If you are from New England, you know just how unpredictable summer weather can be!  By incorporating these energy-efficient innovations, you can keep your home cool and your wallet happy. Now that’s some great news, huh?!  Whether you’re investing in new windows, optimizing your insulation, or simply making smarter use of your thermostat, every little bit helps. Ready to make your home more energy-efficient? Contact us today to learn how we can help you design and implement these cool solutions!

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