Yuma’s long, hot summer isn’t the reason most people opt to live here, but residents will tell you — rather optimistically — that you can learn how to deal with our 110-degree summer days with some patience and ingenuity. A lot of that coping involves only going out after sundown when the dry air cools off quickly (it takes some humidity for heat to linger in the air) and finding things to do indoors while the sun bears down outside.
Of course, enjoying the indoors during the summer requires a working air conditioner. It can also involve finding ways to lower energy bills so you can use the AC adequately.
We’re always looking for ways to cut down on energy use and thus lower energy bills. Here are some familiar methods you may have already adopted:
- Shut the blinds, drapes, or shades in the daytime to block solar radiation.
- Keep your AC in good working condition. Get regular maintenance and change the air filter as recommended so that the AC doesn’t struggle to cool your home.
- Air seal your home around door and window frames, baseboards, and anywhere conditioned air might leak out and unconditioned air might get in. Have your HVAC tech look at your air-conditioning ducts to make sure they’re not leaking air.
- Use fans to circulate cool air so you can turn the thermostat up a few degrees.
- Avoid cooking that requires turning on the oven. Instead, use the microwave.
Beyond these simple things, here are some more advanced ways that use technology to lower energy bills.
- Have your home assessed for possibly installing solar panels.
- Get all apps and devices talking to each other through the If This Then That (IFTTT) web-based service. Issue commands to turn off lights and appliances when you leave home or set your thermostat to go higher when you leave home.
- Install a smart thermostat so you can program settings that save energy during peak usage hours or at night, when people are sleeping, or when they are away from home.
For more on how to lower energy bills during the summer, contact Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company of Yuma.