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10 power-saving tips for summer
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Cut your energy bill and give the planet a break with easy ways to reduce your home energy use during the warmest days of the year.
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By Tammy Sutherland
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The long days of summer are finally here. With the extra hours of daylight and the warm weather, you think we can stop worrying about consuming extra energy. Or can we?
Dave Walton, director of home ideas at Direct Energy, offers great power-saving tips you can try at home this summer. You'll be saving some money and saving the planet, too.
1. Keep your air conditioner in good condition
According to Walton, air conditioning can account for up to 50 per cent of your electricity bill in the summer, so make sure your unit operates as efficiently as possible. He recommends having a licensed technician come and assess your system annually to keep things running smoothly and to prevent any unexpected breakdowns.
2. Consider upgrading your air conditioning system
Air conditioning units don't last forever. "The average life span of a central air conditioning system is 12 to 15 years," says Walton. If your current system is more than 10 years old, it might be time to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model.
Look for a system with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) number, because a higher number means a more efficient system. That translates into a more comfortable home and real savings for you. "An older, 10 SEER air conditioner, replaced with a new energy efficient 13 SEER air conditioner could save the homeowner as much as 30 per cent on their electricity bill," says Walton.
3. Help your air conditioner out
A few changes around the house can cut down your air conditioning use. "Ensuring that the south- and west-facing window coverings are closed can really contribute to keeping the home cooler," says Walton. He also suggests keeping appliances that give off heat, such as lamps or television sets, away from the thermostat, because it will detect their heat and run longer than necessary.
Keep your doors and windows closed when the air conditioner is running, and close the dampers of your basement ducts, since it's naturally cooler down there. Even your landscaping can make a difference. "Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units, but not to block the airflow," says Walton. "A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10 per cent less electricity than the same one operating in the sun."
4. Only run your air conditioner when necessary
Do you leave your air conditioner running all day, even while you're out, just so you can enjoy the rush of cold air upon your return? It is a great feeling, but how much is it worth to you? "Average residential daily energy consumption is 25 KW per day or about one KW per hour. A central air conditioner adds about 3.5 KW per hour to your energy consumption. If your unit runs for 24 hours, it will consume about 85 KW per hour, more than tripling consumption," explains Walton. That extra energy can cost you about $8 to $12 per day.
Walton suggests using a programmable thermostat set at 25 C. "Every degree set below 25 C could add as much as 3 to 5 per cent to your energy bill." He also recommends turning the system off overnight, opening the windows and using fans. That alone could save you as much as $4 per day.
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