Great Ways To Lower How Much Energy You Use

With the hot and humid summer months upon us there is an increase of concern from homeowners on the cost of running their air conditioners. Cooling units are a leading user of electricity in our homes.

Over 55 percent of homes on Oahu are cooled by air conditioners, including both single window units and central air, a 22 percent increase over the last 25 years. - Hawaii's Energy Future

Running a window unit in a standard bedroom for 8 hours a night can rack up to a $49 monthly bill, depending on its EER. Turning the thermostat a few degrees lower or running it during hotter hours of the daytime can make a dramatic difference in your electricity consumption, which is reflected on your utility bill. Here a few tips to keep in mind to help lower your energy usage this summer while still keeping cool:

- Use a fan instead of an AC if possible

- Change the thermostat to reduce your energy consumption.

- Install a programmable thermostat to automatically run the unit only when the house is normally occupied.

- Clean or replace filters to increase the efficiency of your cooling unit.

- Take actions to lower the base temperature in your home. Install cooler CFL lights, close blinds, and invest in home window tinting.

- Purchase the right size cooling system for your room or home. HECO offers a calculator to determine the unit size you need and shows the average monthly dollars that it will cost you.

- Schedule a system maintenance check with a licensed contractor. Central Air units may qualify for a maintenance rebate.

- Install solar panels on your house.

All of these small but significant changes can help to keep your cooling system from working overtime during these hot summer months. Find more information and further energy saving tips at the Hawaii's Energy Future website.

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