Energy efficiency has been a hot topic in recent years as the United States has made a conscious effort to reduce the amount of energy used every year. In line with this, October has been declared “National Energy Awareness Month” in the U.S. Sadly, a recent survey has revealed a less-than-ideal mindset among Louisiana residents. The following excerpt is from the The Shreveport Times:
The survey ranks Louisiana last among the 48 contiguous states in home energy conservation and 38th in vehicle efficiency. The higher ranking in more efficient use of cars keeps the state up one notch from the bottom in the overall ranking by WalletHub, a national social media company designed to help consumers and businesses make smarter financial decisions.
The average American household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills, almost half of which goes to heating and cooling expenses, the WalletHub study found. The cost of energy to run houses and automobiles is one of the largest expenses in a family budget.
Shreveport tends to get quite warm during the summer months, with an average high of 94°. This tends to result in residents blasting their air conditioners in an effort to beat the heat. While there is nothing wrong with this, and in fact is the reason why families have air conditioning in Shreveport, there are, however, many other steps people can take to enjoy comfortable temperatures and be energy efficient, such as:
Make Quick Repairs
Needless to say, units that are in a state of disrepair have to work twice as hard and use more energy to keep your home cool. The moment a problem presents itself, be sure to call a Shreveport AC repair service like AccuTemp Cooling and Heating. The same logic applies to units nearing the end of their service life.
Reduce Your Usage
If your thermostat has a timer function, use it! Setting your air conditioner one hour before you wake up can save you hundreds of dollars every year. You can also opt to have your air conditioner turn on 30 minutes before you get home, as this will save more money than setting your unit at full blast when you get home.
Find Ways to “Cheat”
There are many ways to keep your home cool without over-relying on your air conditioner. One such way would be to use an electric fan along with the air conditioner. Not only do fans use less energy, but they can also make a room feel 3-8 degrees cooler. Other ways you can “cheat” include hanging heavy curtains that prevent solar heat from entering your home.
(Source: It’s time to be energy-aware; The Shreveport Times; October 13, 2014)
