Looking for ways to save energy and money at home? Pomona Choice Energy offers tips and best practices to reduce your carbon footprint and save on your power bill this spring.
The spring season brings warmer temperatures and an opportunity to adjust your day-to-day habits to align with changes in weather. In the coming weeks, you may find your house warmer than usual. Rather than lowering the thermostat, consider opening windows instead. With mild spring temperatures, this will naturally cool your home and it won’t cost a dime.
If opening windows isn’t cooling down your house, we recommend using ceiling fans if you have them before adjusting the thermostat. On average, cooling your home with ceiling fans will reduce the overall home temperature by 4 degrees fahrenheit and it’s only a fraction of the cost of using an air conditioner. Another best practice is to open window blinds to allow sunlight into your home. Natural light is proven to improve your mood, and it also means you can turn off some overhead lights and save on electricity costs.
If you must use an air conditioner to regulate temperatures, be mindful of when it is running. For example, try turning the thermostat up a few degrees if you will be away from your home for an extended period or even just a couple of hours. This practice alone can help customers save substantially on their monthly energy costs. Customers with air conditioners should also remember to service their cooling systems this spring. Cleaning out your system’s air filter can reduce its energy consumption by up to 15 percent.
You may notice that spring cleaning activities and household chores also affect the temperature in your home. Try to wait until cooler times in the day to do tasks that make your house warmer, such as laundry and cooking. On warm days, avoid using the hot oven, and try using the stove, microwave or cooking outside instead. The spring weather is a perfect excuse to fire up your grill if you have one and enjoy cheffing a new recipe outdoors. With the sun setting later in the day, you can turn it into an evening of relaxing on your patio or in your backyard.
“We are the product of our habits, so it’s important that our daily behaviors align with our goals,” said Tim Sandoval, Pomona’s Mayor. “I encourage all Pomona residents to evaluate areas where they could improve energy efficiency and act on them, so we can all enjoy reduced energy costs and the benefits of a sustainable community.”
For more energy efficiency tips, visit Pomona Choice Energy’s website.