Top Ideas for saving energy in Summer!

Heat wave strikes and you think of last summer's dreadful utility bills, and all those coal-burning plants powering air conditioners and spewing global-warming carbon dioxide.

5 home cooling, energy saving summer tips

1. Keep your air conditioner thermostat as high as you can with comfort.

2. Use a fan when you can; they eat far less energy that air conditioners.

3. Whenever it's cool and fresh outside, say, after a thundershower, crack your windows an inch or two to create a draft that'll refresh indoor air.

4. Apply low-cost, low-E films to window glass, which can save you up to 15% on electricity bills.

5. Close blinds and curtains in peak sunlight hours.

via plentymag

NO COST ENERGY SAVING IDEAS

Water Heating:: 1. Use less hot water.; 2. Take showers instead of baths.; 3. Use the short cycle on the dishwasher.; 4. Set the thermostat on the water heater at 120°F.; 5. Use an insulation kit to cover the water heater.; 6. Turn the water heater off when you leave home for more than two days.; 7. Repair water leaks and drips.; 8. Install a flap valve to prevent hot water from flowing back into the pipes.

7 Energy Saving Ideas for the Summer

Consider installing an automatic thermostat that turns off your air conditioner at night.
Open windows in the summer. It costs nothing, but it saves energy and money.
Ceiling fans use less electricity than air conditioners or furnaces.
set your thermostat to 25 degrees Celsius or 77 degrees Fahrenheit to provide the most comfort at the least cost.
Use awnings and overhangs to keep the sun out of south-facing windows in the summers.
We just upgraded the windows in our home.
A reflective roof can reduce the roof surface temperature by up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on your climate.

via ismckenzie