How to Save Energy in Summertime

RSS Subscribe Print Share

Everyone loves the summertime; the warm sunlight, the vacations, swimming pools and baseball are just a few American favorites from this season. However, in the heat of the summer, it’s easy to use excess energy to stay cool when you’re home all day. Trust me, I live in the Mojave Desert in California.

Staying conscious of your household energy usage can help keep your electricity bills low while limiting your carbon footprint. Here are some tips to stay environmentally conscious and fiscally responsible.

Check your AC filter

Dirty AC filters restrict airflow and can cause the system to run longer, increasing energy use. Replace filters monthly for maximum benefit.

Use LED lightbulbs

The benefits of replacing your lightbulbs with LED include increased energy efficiency, lower electric bills, a longer bulb life, and a better and safer light source overall. LED bulbs were designed as a more energy-efficient light source, using a semiconductor to convert electricity into light.

Close your blinds

Sun coming through your windows can heat up your home and cause energy bills to rise. Draw curtains and blinds during the hottest parts of the day (between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.), especially if your windows are facing south.

Avoid using your oven

Using your oven and stove can raise your kitchen’s temperature by 10 degrees. By heating food in your microwave, you’ll lower the risk of overheating your kitchen and save energy in the process; microwaves use one-third the energy of an oven and produce less heat than other kitchen appliances.

Seal Your Home

Insulation isn’t just for the cold winter months. Preventing air leaks is one of the best ways to keep warm air out and cool air in. Simple caulking and weather-stripping can save up to 30 percent on heating and cooling costs.
Sealing your home against these leaks is easy, effective and relatively inexpensive. Use caulk to seal cracks and openings between stationary objects like door and window frames. Apply weather-stripping around things that move, such as window sashes and the door itself.
Be sure to check your attic and basement for air leaks, as these floors have large gaps in insulation or missing weather-stripping. Seal the small cracks with foam or caulk. For larger holes, you may need to install or replace insulation.

Responsible stewardship of God’s creation and of the resources He provides is important in the summer. Integrating a faith-based view of stewardship is something Geneva College does as part of its mission. To find out more about Christ-centered, biblically based higher education, visit www.geneva.edu or contact Admissions at 800-847-8255 or admissions@geneva.edu.

Sources:

-----

Photo by Ariel on Unsplash

Opinions expressed in the Geneva Blog are those of its contributors and do not necessarily represent the opinions or official position of the College. The Geneva Blog is a place for faculty and contributing writers to express points of view, academic insights, and contribute to national conversations to spark thought, conversation, and the pursuit of truth, in line with our philosophy as a Christian, liberal arts institution.

Jul 18, 2020

Everyday Living

Everyday LivingRelated Blog Posts

Some Tips for Managing Anxiety

Anxiety is incredibly common, and is especially common among young adults. So if you are struggling with anxiety, here are some tips from Amy Solman on how to manage anxiety.

Using Social Media Redemptively

As social media continues to grow in popularity, how might Christians be able to use social media to serve God and serve others? Read here for a few ideas!

How to Stay Healthy When Sickness is Spreading

Sickness spreads quickly on college campuses. Here are a few tips to help you avoid catching a cold or virus!

Tips for Athletes in the Off-Season

Read to learn about tips to stay healthy, rested, and connected for college athletes in the off-season.

9 Financial Tips for College Students

Saving money in college is hard. Here are 9 financial tips that can help you save money and make the most out of your time as a student.

The Importance of Sleep

Why is sleep important? And how can you get more of it in college?

10 Study Tips for Exam Season

Exam season can be stressful. These 10 tips can help you feel confident going in to any exam!

So, You Want to Learn Another Language?

Learning a new language can help you advance your career, understand other cultures, enhance your memory skills, help you to be a better communicator, stimulate your brain power, and more. Here are 6 tips to help you get started on your language learning journey.

Drive-thru Mindfulness: 4 Quick Ways to Improve Mental Health

In the midst of the chaos, it’s crucial we remember to take time to improve our mental health. For those of you who are so busy that your only chance to breathe is a bathroom break, I’ve composed a list of 4 ways you can engage in mindfulness without skipping class.

Keeping Your Summer Cool

With many of us in the Northern Hemisphere experiencing that summer sun lately, I think we could use some helpful and creative ways to keep cool during the rest of this summer. Not every person owns an air conditioning unit and even if you do, you might want to save some money. So, without further ado here are ten good ideas for keeping it cool this summer.

Request Information

Learn more about Geneva College.

Have questions? Call us at 724-847-6505.