Saving money while keeping your cool

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KAIT/Edited News Release) – The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas are sharing tips to stay cool and save money this summer.

Most of your electricity use that is billed during the summer is related to the air conditioner, said Mitch Ross, energy efficiency manager for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.

One easy way to save money is to adjust your thermostat while away from home.

“There is no reason to keep an empty home comfortable,” said Ross. “It’s just running your air conditioner more than it needs to.”

What drives heat gain is the difference in temperature between the outside and inside of your home, and the greater the difference in temperature, the faster heat transfers from the outside to the inside of your home, he explained.

Tips to follow this summer:

• Set the thermostat to what you’re comfortable with when you’re home.
• Adjust the thermostat to a higher temperature while away.
• If you use a ceiling fan, you can set the thermostat higher and maintain the same comfort level.
• Check for gaps and cracks in your home and seal them with caulk or foam.
• Weatherstrip windows and doors.
• If affordable, invest in a smart thermostat.
  

“Setting your thermostat higher while away and lower when you get home does not increase your bill,” Ross said. “Running your unit for one long cycle as opposed to short cycles, multiple times a day, will dehumidify a home more efficiently. One long cycle also places less stress on your HVAC unit.”

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