Reduced electricity bills by making proactive choices in summer. As we all know, summer in Pakistan always brings a heavy electricity bill. That’s why we listed some amazing tips. You should try to minimize the electricity bills and give yourself peace of mind.
6 Must Try Tips
Here are six helpful things that you can do to keep your electricity bill low this summer:
- Clean Your AC Filter
By changing your dirty AC filter to a clean one can lower your energy consumption by 5% to 15% because if your AC filter is dirty, the air cannot get through, making the AC system work harder to cool the place and eventually stop cooling and you will be dropping the temperature on the thermostat in an ineffective and expensive attempt to cool your place. Clean the AC filter by yourself or replace it, or call an HVAC (heating, Ventilation and air conditioning systems) technician to solve this problem. You should also clean the coil and fins on the AC.
- Install a Customizable Thermostat
Get yourself a smart and customizable thermostat and set the temperature to change it an hour or 30 minutes before you wake up. Moreover, let the house heat up when you are not home and let it cool down when you return. .it is efficient to heat or cool a place only when needed rather than frequently maintaining a set temperature
Many people believe that it is more efficient to keep an HVAC system running frequently at a low temperature so that the system does not work harder to cool down a place but it’s not true. The amount of energy required to cool down a place by 1 degree is consistent, regardless of current temperature. For instance, if you set your thermostat at 70 degrees, the HVAC will use the same amount of energy to cool the place down from 71 degrees to 70 degrees. That’s why the higher your AC temperature is set, the higher the energy savings.
- Rearrange Your Blinds and Shades
There are two ways to use your blinds and shades to reduce your electricity bill. First, get more energy-saving window coverings, and second, always open and close them. Some products are good for temperature control. For instance, well-installed cellular shades can be helpful to lower the heat through windows by over 40% in winter and 60% in summer, while lace curtains are only ornamental. Moreover, close your window when you are not in the room or you don’t use and open it when you return.
- Fill Gaps and Cracks
Any gaps and cracks in your home are spots for heat to come in. If you find these cracks and gaps in any space of your house like windows, door frames and walls, fill them either with caulking or foam sealant. The fireplace and chimney and the dryer vent—all of these are spots where air goes in and out. So, add an inflatable chimney balloon or DIY a reusable one filled with fiberglass batting scraps but remember to take it out before the next fire.
- Check for Energy Suckers
Appliances plugged into an outlet consume energy even when not in use, contributing to a quarter of an electricity bill, according to a 2015 study. Identify and unplug appliances and items that are not used frequently, as they still consume energy when plugged in. For more precise monitoring, a home electrical energy usage monitor, available for under $15, can be used to test individual items. This approach helps in reducing energy consumption and saving on electricity bills.
- Use Electricity During Off-Peak Hours
Try to use appliances during off-peak hours when their rates are lower. These hours usually occur during late night and early morning. In Pakistan the peak hours during June to August are 7 pm to 11 pm; other than these hours are considered off-peak hours.
