As temperatures climb during the summer, you might notice your energy bill creeping higher as you work to keep your home cool and comfortable. Running your air conditioner, using appliances and even small energy leaks can add up, leading to higher bills. There are simple, effective ways to reduce energy waste and lower your bill—without sacrificing comfort. From optimizing your cooling system to adjusting daily habits, small changes can make a big difference.
First, focus on your home’s envelope!
Your home’s envelope include the doors, windows, walls, roof and floor that help protect against the summer heat. When the openings in a house are properly sealed, the air stays where you want it.
- Look for any cracks or gaps around your doors and windows – simple steps like adding weatherstripping is an effective way to prevent hot air from coming in and the cool indoor air from sneaking out.
- The better insulated a home is, the less cooling and heating equipment needs to operate because you are keeping the cool air in, which lowers your bill.
- Cash in with a DTE rebate that will help lower your energy use and bill at dteenergy.com/insulation.
Now that your home’s envelope is sealed, make sure your equipment is working properly.
Did you know half of your energy bill comes from cooling your home?
- It’s important to change your air filter regularly: A dirty filter will slow air flow and make the system work harder to keep you cool – wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system – leading to expensive maintenance.
- Make sure the top of your AC unit is clear of clutter and debris to prevent anything from blocking the airflow.
- Keep up to date with maintenance on your system by scheduling an AC tune-up. You could qualify for our rebates, helping you save on costs while also reducing your energy use. Visit dteenergy.com/ac
We often hear of thermostat wars; they’re a real thing!
But constantly adjusting your home’s temperature is inefficient. Your thermostat can work for you!
- When it starts to heat up outside, set your thermostat to a temperature you find comfortable. Just remember, the closer your indoor temperature is to the outdoor temperature, the lower your energy costs will be. For example, if the temperatures rise into the 90s, keeping your home at 72 degrees will drive up your energy use and bill as your system works to close the 20-degree gap. Try raising your home’s temperature a few degrees – use a fan for instant cooling.
- You can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by adjusting your thermostat by 7 – 10 degrees for 8 hours a day.
- Keep your house warmer than normal when you know you’ll be away – a programmable thermostat can help you automatically adjust to dial up or down right from your phone. Or do so manually; you won’t notice a difference, but your energy use and bill will.
Small steps can lead to big savings; you can start your energy efficiency journey by visiting dteenergy.com/saveenergy to learn tips and tricks on how to best maximize your energy usage.