Cool ways to save this summer
Energy use across Alberta can skyrocket on a hot summer day. Here are some tips to help keep you cool without sending your energy bill sky-high.
- Clean your refrigerator condenser coils to ensure air can circulate freely. The motor works harder and uses more electricity when coils build up with dust and dirt.
- Plant leafy green trees on the sunny side of your home. In the summer leaves provide cool shade, and the bare branches in the winter let warm sunlight through.
- Collect rainwater using a rain barrel on spouts. Plants love natural water.
- Your air conditioner can be responsible for up to 50% of your summer electricity usage. If you can't bear to part with it altogether, turn it off when you're not home. It won't take long to cool down again when you return.
- Make sure your air conditioner filter is clean. Clogged filters make it work harder and use more energy.
- Curtains or shades on your windows keep the sun out and your house cooler. This is especially true if you have south or west facing windows.
- Ditch your dryer. Hang your laundry outside on an old-fashioned clothesline for some modern savings.
Season Saving Tips
Alberta often experiences two main seasons — winter and summer. Here are our seasons saving tips to get you through the year.