We’ve reached it…the dog days of summer where the heat and humidity have fully set in around Eastern Iowa. At McAllister Electrical Services, we want to help you beat the summer heat (and the energy bills) with these cool tips for saving energy in the summer months!

1. Use ceiling fans

Ceiling fans can help create a windchill effect in rooms of your home. Rather than having to lower your thermostat and make your cooling system work harder, ceiling fans can help you feel a 4-10 degree temperature change in your room. Consider installing ceiling fans in rooms where you spend a majority of time (living rooms, bedrooms, etc.), to help increase your comfort and decrease the energy you consume.

2. Install Window Coverings

According to energy.gov, “About 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows. In cooling seasons, about 76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat.” So how can you prevent sunlight from heating up your home? Cover your windows! Choose blackout shades on your west and south-facing exposures to reduce heat gain, consider honeycomb shades and blinds to add an insulation factor that retains that heat created, and keep your draperies and shades closed during the sunniest hours of the day.

3. Reduce Heat Created by Appliances

This doesn’t mean replacing all your current appliances for newer, energy-star rated appliances tomorrow (though we do recommend energy-efficient options when and where possible). Think about all the small ways you can use less electricity in your everyday appliance usage. Use the grill for meal prep instead of heating your oven, run your washing machine or dryer during off-peak hours in the evening or at night, run your dishwasher only when full, adjust to taking shorter showers instead of baths, and turn down the temperature on your water heater.  Any combination of these smaller measures will help lower your electrical consumption and reduce your monthly energy payment.

4. Routine Maintainence

Make sure you’re keeping up on those yearly jobs around the house that you don’t think of every day, but definitely help you in the long run. Keep your vents open and uncovered by furniture, check your windows for energy loss with an energy audit by a local cooperative or professional, seal and insulate your entries, seal up cracks along your home’s foundation, and schedule cleaning of your HVAC system to remove dust and particles that can reduce efficiency.

Get Started!

Take control of your electrical usage and energy bills, and start implementing some of our tips around your own home. If you’re ready for an energy audit or to make the switch to LED lightbulbs or to install additional ceiling fans, the team at McAllister Electrical Services is ready to help you with that project. Head over to our contact page and get in touch with Pete and our crew of electricians, and start yourself on the road to energy efficiency.