But summer’s almost over… Nope, not quite.
The kids are going back to school, and Labor Day is just around the corner, but northern Virginia is in for another full month of summer heat. And as these dog days linger, it’s important to stay cool (and to keep energy bills low) in your home.
Consider the following tips for saving energy and money:
1. Program your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re home, and push it as high as 85 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re not home. Do those numbers seem too high? A ceiling fan can cool a room by as much as four degrees, and uses far less energy than a central air conditioning unit. Also, Low E replacement windows insulated with argon gas will keep all of that cool air from escaping from your home while blocking the sun’s heat.
2. Install window coverings to prevent heat from seeping in through your windows. Learn more about the new technology offered by Vinyl-Lite Window Factory, like Fin Seal fiberglass weather seals, or their exclusive Thermal Mirror glass with triple the energy efficiency compared to the competition.
3. Hire an experienced HVAC servicer to tune up your air conditioner annually. It’s also advisable to clean or replace filters at regular intervals for more efficient operation. New energy efficient windows will reduce your HVAC workload and will also extend the life of your unit.
4. Minimize indoor heat by only running the dryer and dishwasher at night on the hottest days. Let your dishes air dry, and wash your clothes on the ‘cold’ setting. Avoid heat-generating lighting, and consider grilling outdoors.
5. Set your water heater to 120ºF, and no higher.
6. If possible, do not use extra freezers or refrigerators. These outdoor (or in-the-garage) units must work harder to keep food and beverages cold on hot summer days.
7. Unplug appliances and electronics. All home electronics should be plugged into power strips when possible, and turned off or unplugged when not in use.
8. Do you have a pool? Consider slowly reducing pool filtration time by 30-minute increments daily. As long as the water appears clean, keep reducing; soon you’ll find that you may only need to run your pool filter six hours a day; your energy bill will thank you.
9. Install energy efficient windows in your northern Virginia home.
New, energy efficient windows require an investment, but trust us when we say that they’ll eventually pay for themselves — thanks to lower heating and cooling costs. Really, the best decision is to hire Vinyl-Lite, northern Virginia’s window factory and showroom since 1978, to help you design, select, and install new energy efficient windows in your home.