Every year we are fortunate enough to celebrate our independence, and the fact that we live in the greatest country in the world. That day comes on the Fourth of July, officially two weeks after the first day of summer.
By this time of year most of the United States is stripped down to shorts, tank tops, and flip flops. The heat is scorching, the sweat is dripping, the drinks are flowing, and the air conditioners are running. How hard are they running exactly? Take a look for yourself. Below is a snapshot of the high temperatures for July 1, 2016:
Celebrating our nation, it’s history, prosperity, and culture certainly comes at a cost. In fact, per WalletHub, the total planned spending on Fourth of July for food alone exceeds $6 billion. That’s a lot of chow and a whole lot of cheddar! With such high temperatures, high spirits, and high expenditures, there is no question about it: we all could benefit from savings.
Whether you are hosting a barbecue, traveling to the beach with friends, or even just keeping cool in front of the TV with family this Fourth of July, keep in mind that there are many energy saving opportunities. These opportunities include no cost practices as well as home improvement upgrades that deliver a high return on investment. Share or implement any of the below ideas at your own home for a green Fourth of July.
No Cost Energy Savings Tips
- Avoid using the oven. Instead, cook on the stove, use a microwave oven, or grill outside.
- Clear the area around your air conditioner vents to ensure the best possible ventilation.
- Set your thermostat to 75-78°F when inside, health permitting. Set it to 85°F when you’re away for more than a few hours.
- Use ceiling fans when using the air conditioner, you can raise your thermostat roughly 4°F to save on cooling costs without sacrificing your comfort.
- Make sure your air conditioner’s fresh air vent is closed so you’re not spending extra money cooling outside air.
- Turn bathroom and kitchen vents off approximately 10 minutes after their job is complete to keep them from moving cool air out of your house.
- Turn off lights when you’re not using rooms.
Low Cost Energy Saving Tips
- Open your windows and let cool air move into your home in the morning and at night. Cover your windows during the day to block the hot sun.
- Check the filter on your air conditioning system and replace it when dirty. Dirty air filters will slow air flow and cause your air conditioning system to use more energy.
- Caulk gaps and cracks around drafty door frames and windows to prevent warm air from entering your home on hot summer days.
- Replace your old incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified bulbs. By changing one bulb you can save between $30 and $80 in electricity costs over the lifetime of the bulb.
Seal, Insulate & Ventilate for Long Term Savings
Per the U.S. Department of Energy, improving your home’s insulation and sealing air leaks are the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy waste and make the most of your energy dollars. In addition, ventilation helps with moisture control and reducing summer cooling bills—there are even winter benefits too!
Yellowblue Eco Tech and its independent authorized dealers work with homeowners to identify areas to reduce energy consumption, improve overall comfort, and increase home value. Often, we focus first on the attic as it presents all of the above opportunities.
Our products include industry leading multi-layer reflective insulation, which increases the overall performance of an insulation system. Combined with proper air sealing techniques and state-of-the-art solar attic fans, homeowners can truly “rule their attic” and reap the rewards.
With over 300 million Americans celebrating Fourth of July, it’s important to conserve anywhere we can. Saving on energy not only benefits our wallets, but it reduces environmental impact, which helps preserve our rich traditions and deeply ingrained patriotism.
