Extreme Heat

Save money by shifting electricity use to mornings, nights and weekends. To learn more visit ConsumersEnergy.com/Summerrate

According to ENERGY STAR®, cooling accounts for nearly 17% of your annual energy use. During the hottest days, AC use is an even bigger contributor to your bill than average. Taking a few simple steps can have major impacts on your bill.

Tips to reduce your AC use:

• Set your thermostat higher when you’re away. You’ll typically save 1 to 3 percent on cooling costs for every degree you dial up. Simplify your life by investing in a smart thermostat.


• Run your ceiling fan counterclockwise, pushing air downward to cool more efficiently. Ceiling fans are exceptional at cooling fast and cost much less than air conditioning.


• Clean your AC filter regularly. Dusty filters can make your appliance work harder, wasting energy. Also, be sure to get an AC tune-up so your air conditioning is operating at peak efficiency.


• Stay cool in the shade. Use shades or blinds to block direct sun during the day and shut doors and registers to avoid cooling unused areas, further cutting energy costs.


• Choose your moment. Operate your stove, oven, dishwasher and clothes dryer in the morning or evening when it’s cooler outside.

Take a look at these energy-saving ideas:

• Block the Summer Sun: Close drapes, shades and blinds during the heat of the day to reduce your heat gain but open windows and doors in early morning and in the evening to let cooler air in.


• Let your curtains and window treatments hang loose, and be sure they don’t block heat registers and air-return ducts.


• Vinyl shades and quilted curtains help keep your home cool.


• Consider replacing old windows with new high-performance windows. It is not usually the first place to invest in improvements to save energy, but if you have older windows, it can help and they look great. Click here for available rebates on energy efficient windows.

Water heating is typically the third-largest energy expense, accounting for about 14% of energy bills:

• Take a shower instead of a bath. You’ll use less hot water.


• Turn off hot water when you don’t need it. Don’t let it run when you wash or shave.


• Keep your hot water hot by making sure pipes in unheated areas are insulated.


• Install a low-flow aerator or flow restrictor on an existing showerhead, and you’ll use less water.


• Set your water heater temperature at 120 degrees. By lowering the thermostat, you can cut water heating bills without sacrificing comfort.


• Save even more by setting your water heater to “on vacation” (if your unit has this feature) when you’re away from home more than two days.


• You may qualify for a rebate if you install a high efficiency or tankless water heater. Click here to check.

Devices that continue to draw power when they appear to be turned off can cost up to $200 a year in wasted energy. Fight this by regularly unplugging your devices, or let a smart power strip do the work for you. The features of advanced power strips make it easier than ever to ensure devices are fully powered down.

Learn more about smart strips equipped with motion sensors, voltage sensitivity controls and master switches, and easily learn which model is right for you.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you could save up to 30 percent on annual energy costs when sealing air leaks in your home. Inspect and seal around the following areas to maximize savings:

• Doors
• Windows
• Recessed lights
• Attic hatches

Your dishwasher uses hot water from your water heater to do its job. To save on water heating:

• Set your dishwasher at 120 degrees or “low” if you can.


• Make sure your dishwasher is full (but not jam-packed) when you run it and use the shortest cycle that is needed to get your dishes clean.


• Let your dishes air dry instead of using the drying option, or use the non-heat drying option.


• Keep the dishwasher drains clean since they are more efficient when cleaned regularly

Cook delicious meals and help lower energy costs by following these suggestions:

• Want some encouragement to grill out more? Remember that using your oven during hot weather makes your air conditioner work harder.


• Preheat the oven only when the recipe calls for it and don’t preheat if you’re using the broiler – it heats up pretty quickly.


• If you have a gas stove, look at the color of the flames from your burners. If the flames are yellow, energy is being wasted and the burners need adjusting. Call an appliance repair professional.


• Make sure pots and pans are the right size for the burners and use lids when you cook. Foods will cook faster, and less time slaving over a stove is never a bad thing.


• Use glass and ceramic dishes since they hold heat better.


• Open the oven door as little as possible. By limiting the times you open the oven door, you’ll save the heat and energy you lose - usually 25 to 75 degrees - each time you avoid opening the door.


• Try using your other small appliances like crockpots, electric frying pans and microwaves a bit more. They are often more energy efficient and save you money, but still get the job done.


• Practice your dicing skills - small pieces of food cook faster and that saves your energy.


• Looking for a new gas stove? Choose a model with electronic igniters instead of pilot lights for the highest efficiency.


• Electric stoves more your style? Try turning off the stove when your meal is almost done. The burners stay hot long after you turn them off.


• If you have a self-cleaning oven, clean it immediately after cooking since it will take less energy to raise the temperature to the cleaning stage.

Your refrigerator/freezer is one of the biggest energy users in your home. These tips can help you waste less and save more:

• Don’t keep the fridge too cold. ENERGY STAR® recommends a temperature range between 35°- 38°F to keep food fresh, but not waste energy.


• Get an inexpensive refrigerator thermometer at your local hardware store, put it on a shelf in your fridge, adjust your temperature settings and then follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how long it will take to adjust. Use the thermometer to double check and make sure the temperature is right.


• Clean your refrigerator’s condenser coils at least twice a year. Dirty coils make your fridge work harder and use more energy.


• Like your belly, a full fridge is a happy one. Keeping your fridge and freezer fuller uses less energy than an emptier one because it has less air in it and air warms up faster than food each time you open the door.


• If you don’t tend to have a full fridge, keep a few jugs of water in there for an inexpensive way to use less energy. If your freezer isn’t very full, add some bags of ice.


• While full is good, try not to overpack your fridge or freezer. Leaving a little bit of room on the front of the shelves allows the cold air to circulate better.


• When your fridge and freezer doors are closed, put your hand near the edges and make sure you don’t feel cold air escaping. If it feels cold, your refrigerator is not sealing properly and you might as well leave the door open. Try replacing the seal first as an inexpensive fix.


• Pull the plug on “Old Yellow” or whatever name you have for your old second refrigerator. An old refrigerator could be costing you up to $150 a year in electric bills.

Washers and dryers are some of the biggest energy users in the house, so a little extra attention here can prevent your money going down the drain:

• Washing your clothes in cold water saves on water heating costs, keeps colors from fading and clothes from shrinking.


• Wash a full load when you can. If you can’t wait for a full load, use the appropriate load-size setting.


• Remember to add the right amount of detergent. Too many suds make your washer work harder and use more energy, plus too much detergent can lead to mildew.


• Air dry your clothes when you can. Not only will this cut down on your energy bill, but it’s less damaging to your clothes. Hang them outside during the warmer months for energy savings and that fresh air smell. Indoor drying racks are a good option for year-round drying and can pay for themselves within a year.


• Try not to overload your clothes dryer or do really small dryer loads. Dryers tend to work most efficiently with a medium load where clothes have room to tumble and the warm air can circulate.


• Stop your dryer when the laundry is dry since over drying can put extra wear and tear on your clothes (lint is fabric that is worn off your clothes during the drying process) and wastes energy.


• Remember to clean the lint traps on your dryer before every load and clean your dryer vents periodically. It helps you use less energy and also prevents a source of home fires.


• When you can, dry your laundry in consecutive loads to take advantage of a heated dryer and save energy.