As the temperatures climb this summer, you can find several ways to save money while keeping cool.
It's a matter of taking simple steps to manage your household energy use and reduce costs.
Here are some energy-saving tips from Consumers Energy, DTE Energy, and Energy Star:
- Close doors on rooms you're not using
- Limit the number of times you open and close outside doors
- Operate appliances — your stove, oven, dishwasher, and clothes washer, and clothes dryer in the morning or evening
- Sealing leaks and insulating your home are just as important in summer as in winter
- Set the thermostat for your air conditioner at 78 degrees when you're home and a tad higher when you're away
- Shutter blinds and drapes during the day
- Use light-colored curtains to reflect daytime heat
- Tune up and maintain your air conditioner, clear leaves and debris from air conditioning units, and clean and change filters regularly
- Use ceiling fans, which cool faster and cost less than air conditioning
