During the summer, in certain parts of Saskatchewan, the sun will set well after 9:00 p.m. Not only that, the summer heat is in force as well. We can see temperatures anywhere between 15 and 30 C this time of year. With longer days and higher temperatures, you have a chance of seeing your energy bills skyrocket if you aren't careful. Think about what you can do to keep your rates affordable.
We can all enjoy energy conservation, and making it a priority is often easier than you think. So, look around your home, and see what you can do to decrease consumption.
1. Keep Seals Tight
Air that escapes your house is money lost. If your home doesn't have appropriate seals and insulation, it can't contain ventilation. Therefore, your air systems might have to work harder to cool or warm the home. That's more energy used, and more money spent.
You might save a lot on utility costs if you can keep your ventilation inside the home. Therefore, make home maintenance a priority. Check that windows and doors don't allow excess air to escape through cracks. Inspect the home's foundation for cracks and open spaces, which could also allow air to flow out. Don't forget to make regular repairs to the roof and insulation. Air can rise, and this can make the roof and attic prime areas for air to escape through untended holes.
2. Practice Vigilance
More hours of daylight mean you won't have to turn on your interior electricity as early in the evening. This could reduce energy consumption. However, excessive use of your air conditioning might easily outweigh those savings. During the day, you can often turn your air conditioning to a higher setting, then turn it to a cooler level at night. Such actions can often reduce your overall energy consumption. Every little bit helps, so you should still turn off the lights whenever you leave a room.
3. Maintain Utility Systems
If any of your electrical systems don't function well, they might waste energy, and drive up your bills. Malfunctioning systems might threaten the home, including raising the risk of fires. By having regular cleaning, service and repairs done on your HVAC and electrical systems, you can help them run better, and keep on top of developing problems.
In some cases, your home insurance policy will pay for damage to these systems. If unpreventable incidents — such as storms — damage the systems, you might have coverage. However, if home or system damage comes from simple neglect or wear and tear, you might not have protection. So, do what you can to protect yourself against these occurrences. Your insurance and utility bill will thank you.
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