I’m sure you have already noticed that summer has arrived in Tennessee. There are lots of things to enjoy about this time of year. Hammocks, fresh fruits and vegetables, the beach and backyard cookouts are all things that are best enjoyed in the longer days of summer.
One of my favorite things to do on a summer afternoon is to stop by a grocery store and grab a cold soft drink — the ones in glass bottles are the best.
Unfortunately, the long summer days also bring with them sweltering heat and humidity that can make life uncomfortable both indoors and out.
Heat and humidity can also have a significant impact on your monthly energy bill.
Electric co-ops are unique — few other businesses provide their consumers with advice on how to use less of the products they sell. Because cooperatives are consumer-owned utilities, we frequently share tips to help our consumers make wise choices when it comes to energy. Our mission is not to sell more energy but to serve our communities.
Nothing has a greater impact on energy use than the weather. In fact, the two largest uses of residential energy in Tennessee are cooling followed closely by heating.
Even when you don’t adjust your thermostat, you will still see increases in energy consumption when the temperature goes up. Why is that?
Let’s say you keep your thermostat on 75 degrees in the summer. If the outside temperature is 78 degrees, your air conditioner only has to cool the inside of your home by 3 degrees. However, if the outside temperature is 95 degrees, your air conditioner has to cool the inside of your home by 20 degrees. It will have to run longer and use more energy to cool the space.
Even though most homeowners see their electric bills rise in the summer, there are some smart and easy things you can do to save money. Check out page 20 for our list of seven smart ways to save energy this summer.
Preparing your home for summer can make your living area more comfortable and save you energy and money.
