How to Lower Your Energy Consumption and Cost during the Arizona Summer

November 4, 2012

 

Living in Arizona during the winter months is wonderful, but Arizona is a desert, and with summer just around the corner, it is a good time to think about saving energy, and with any luck lowering your energy cost as well. The first thing to evaluate is how energy efficient is your home currently, and what can be fixed or improved to be more energy efficient. It is after all our responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint for future generations.

Do you have energy star double paned windows, doors appliances?

  • Double paned energy star windows are coated with a sunscreen keeping more of the Suns damaging UV rays out of the home during Arizona’s hot summer
  • Does your hot water heater have a thermostat? Lower it!
  • Have your AC unit checked once a year
  • Install an Evaporated Cooler system, which can be efficient and comfortable until the Dew point reaches 57 degrees or higher
  • Consider replacing older appliances with new energy efficient appliances

Is your home properly insulated?

  • Your attic should have at least 10 – 14 inches of insulation
  • Seal duct work
  • A properly installed attic fan can assist in lowering the attic temperature in the summer

Saving energy as well as money, can take a little personal effort and sacrifice, and a lot of common sense.

  • Wash clothes in cold water
  • Hang laundry out to dry
  • Don’t use heat-dry cycle on dishwasher
  • Don’t have running refrigerators or freezers outdoors or in garages
  • Install programmable thermostats
  • Turn thermostat to 78 degrees or above
  • Change all incandescent bulbs to Compact florescent bulbs CFL
  • Change air filters regularly
  • Cover all direct sun lit windows with drapes or energy efficient shades
  • Turn off and unplug all electronics and small appliances when not in use
  • Grill outdoors, or use a slow cooker, avoid using your oven
  • Turn the bathroom exhaust fan on while taking a shower
  • Install and use ceiling fans

With a little planning and some personal sacrificing, you just might reduce your carbon footprint and maybe while doing so, you may even save a buck or two.

 Most of these energy saving tips will also reduce your heating cost as well, during the long beautiful Arizona winters.

Remember summer’s heat in Arizona is often referred to as “a dry heat”, which is another way of saying it’s as hot as sticking your head in a 130-degree oven, oh, it’s a dry heat all right. 

 

 

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