Don’t be fooled by these top hot weather energy saving myths
For most Kentucky Power residential customers, cooling your home in summer is one of your biggest uses of energy, behind only heating your home in winter. There are lots of well-meaning but false tips. Don’t be fooled. Follow these simple solutions that separate fact from fiction to save money and keep comfortable this summer.
MYTH: Turning off your air conditioner when you are not home saves energy.
FACT: Turning off your air conditioner can cause your unit to work harder when you return home and turn the unit on. Maintaining a consistent temperature and adjusting the thermostat gradually in your home is more efficient. We recommend setting the thermostat to 78 when you are home and 80 when you leave the house. A programmable or Wi-Fi app-driven thermostat can help.
MYTH: Ceiling fans in empty rooms will keep your whole home cooler.
FACT: Fans are a great way to circulate air. However, fans cool people, not air. It’s more efficient to turn fans off when you leave a room. Plant a deciduous shade tree near your home to control the amount of sun that reaches your house. Choose a tree that is the appropriate size, shape and density.
MYTH: Insulating your home is only important in winter to keep heat in.
FACT: Increasing your attic insulation not only helps keep your home warmer in winter, but also keeps it cooler in summer. Most U.S. homes should have between R-30 and R-60 insulation in the attic. R-30 is 11 inches of fiberglass or rock wool, or 8 inches of cellulose. Check for air leaks, too. About 10 to 25 percent of energy used to cool homes escapes via air leaks. Areas to check include dropped ceilings, recessed lighting, attic entrances, sill plates, water and furnace flues, all ducts, door frames, chimney flashing, window frames, electrical outlets and switches, and plumbing/utility access.
For more energy-saving tips for cooling your home, visit kentuckypower.com/save/ or energy.gov/energysaver.
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