10 Ways to Save on Your Electric Bill and Enjoy a Cool Summer

Saving money on your energy bill during the summer can be as challenging as trying to hold a beach ball underwater. With a few expert tips, you can start saving easily, even before temperatures spike. One surprising source of your electric usage: vampire or phantom loads, like electronics that remain plugged in. Your best weapons against these power-hungry beasts: smart power strips, motion sensors, and efficient LED lighting, all of which can help lower your energy usage and your bills.

Below, three PECO energy efficiency experts offer 10 tips to help you conserve energy, save money, and access rebates on efficient equipment. Mike O’Leary, the manager of PECO’s non-residential energy efficiency team, offers advice for commercial customers. Kathy MacWilliams, the manager of PECO’s residential energy efficiency programs, has strategies for saving at home. And Thomas Hill, a senior residential program manager, shares insights on how to stay cool all summer.

Saving on utilities has helped PECO’s commercial customers like the Owen J. Roberts School District to better serve their students. “The incentive check [we received for lowering our energy usage] is more money put back into the school district for books, computers, anything else,” Aaron Rothrock, the school district’s assistant director of facilities, said. “It’s money we wouldn’t have had that would have come from other budgets. It provides a direct cost-savings benefit to the community.”

“We want to be a trusted advisor when it comes to helping businesses save money,” O’Leary said. “Energy utilization and savings go hand in hand. We have experts who are here to guide customers as to what kind of equipment to look for that would qualify for incentives,” he said. “Our goal is to reduce energy usage overall, so when our customers lower usage, that helps everyone,” MacWilliams said. “We are working with customers to promote energy efficiency, which will help them lower their bills.”

Try their helpful tips to reduce your electricity usage, and enjoy a cool summer and a lower energy bill.

1. Before summer, service your HVAC system.

Commercial customers: Tune up large HVAC systems: check the refrigerant charge, change filters, check duct and pipe insulation, check and adjust belts, lubricate moving parts, and calibrate control systems to optimize system performance. “Think of it like getting your car tuned up before a road trip. When all systems are working properly, it can save you money and headaches down the road,” O’Leary said.

Residential customers: Change your HVAC air filter when dirty or dusty. Most fiberglass and vinyl filters are washable (check instructions) and can be reinstalled when dry. Cleaning or replacing air conditioner filters can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.

2. Hot outside? Keep thermostats at a comfortable, not frigid, temperature.

“If people have to wear sweaters at their desks, you may be overcooling the office,” O’Leary said. No need to push the temps down to 67 degrees. Most people prefer the low 70s.

Commercial customers: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends that commercial buildings keep indoor temps between 68 and 76 degrees, based on seasonality. For most people, 72 degrees is a comfortable temperature, so try setting your thermostat between 72 and 74 degrees in the summer and a little lower, to about 70 degrees, in the winter.

Residential customers: “Everyone’s comfort level is individual, but 72 to 74 degrees is a good temperature to set your thermostat to in the summer during the day, and you can increase it by a few degrees at night,” Hill said. For every degree you move the thermostat above 72 degrees, you can save 2% to 4% on cooling costs.

3. Off hours: Turn thermostats warmer when you leave.

Commercial customers: “There is no reason to keep empty offices chilled overnight. During unoccupied hours of operation, we recommend setting the temperature back,” O’Leary said. Aim for five to eight degrees above the occupied temperature in the summer and around five degrees below the occupied temperature in the winter. If your staff comes in at 8 a.m., turn the thermostat back to its daytime temperature by 6 a.m. to give the space time to return to normal levels.

Residential customers: You can increase the temperature by a few degrees at night, and save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back seven to 10 degrees for eight hours a day from its normal setting, per the Department of Energy. If you leave for the office, or if you leave home for longer than a few hours, turn the thermostat up in summer or down in winter.

4. Use shades or blinds to regulate indoor temps.

Shades, curtains, and blinds can all help insulate windows. Most people close their shades at night for privacy, but you may also want to close them during the day for energy savings. Studies show that darker-colored draperies with white plastic backings can reduce heat gains in rooms by 33%.

Commercial customers: If the sun is beating down through the windows, the room will heat up via solar radiation. Close blinds during the day and open them at night. Choose draperies with heat reduction in mind: cellular shades, for instance, can reduce unwanted solar heat through windows by up to 60%.

Residential customers: Close your blinds before you leave for the day to block solar heat gain. Choose privacy blinds that filter light and leave out the heat. Placing awnings over windows and glass doors that are in direct sunlight can offer big savings, reducing solar heat gain in the summer by up to 65% on south-facing windows and up to 77% on west-facing windows.

5. Lock windows to seal in air.

If you want cool air to stay inside and hot air to stay out, lock your windows to prevent air from leaking through the gaps.

Commercial customers: Make sure doors and windows close and seal properly. If your business is in a building with old, drafty windows, you may need to invest in ways to make them more airtight by replacing weatherstripping, adding window film, or buying new windows.

Residential customers: Closing your windows without locking them allows air to seep around the sashes. When they’re locked, the interlocking system makes a proper seal. The same is true of doors, which have a rubber strip along the bottom. If your windows are old and showing cracks, try sealing them with caulk.

Inadequate insulation in attics and drafty crawl spaces can leak hot or cool air out of your home. You could be losing 1% to 5% of your energy through cracks and drafts, so sealing cracks and replacing old insulation is highly recommended. Investing in window repairs and new insulation will pay off.

6. LED light bulbs make a big difference.

LED bulbs offer major energy savings, consuming up to 90% less electricity than incandescent bulbs and fixtures throughout their lifespan.

Commercial customers: First, update to LED lighting. Then consider automated lighting controls. Install motion sensors so lights switch off when no one is in the room. Smart control systems can adjust lighting in a room based on the amount of sunlight coming in. “This is called daylight harvesting,” O’Leary said. “These sensors adjust the amount of light proportionally to the light that’s in the room and dim the overheads when they sense sunlight pouring in.” If you can’t install lighting controls, turn out the lights at the end of the day or when you leave a conference room. Any reduction you can make in your lighting system will help you save.

Residential customers: Switching from conventional lighting to LED bulbs offers big savings, MacWilliams said. LED bulbs use nine times less electricity than incandescent lighting, and there are soft light LED bulbs that can run on dimmers.

7. Solar panels: A good idea?

“Yes, but it will depend on your specific property location,” Hill said. “First, reduce your energy usage so you need less power to run your home or business.” Check out www.peco.com/solar and use our solar calculator to estimate your solar project costs and potential savings.

Commercial customers: If you own your building, there are a number of advantages to adding solar power, O’Leary said. But first, increase your energy efficiency. “If you get your energy footprint down, then the size of the system you need will be considerably smaller than you would have needed prior to implementing these energy efficiency upgrades.”

The advantages of solar power include an energy offset; any excess solar power generated is exported back to the grid in exchange for credits. “So that is a revenue stream coming back in,” O’Leary said. “Any new income stream is positive.”

Residential customers: If you own your home and are interested in solar but your roof is partly shaded, you may still be able to make the switch, Hill said. A solar system can utilize optimizers that compensate for shading and different roof angles. This allows your system to provide the maximum output, despite the partial shade.

8. What to look for when purchasing a new AC.

Commercial customers: Make sure the system can efficiently meet your cooling needs. One that is oversized is just as inefficient as one that doesn’t have enough capacity. Customers should work closely with their contractors to ensure systems are sized properly. Our energy experts are here to help customers determine if the selected equipment qualifies for incentives, O’Leary said.

Residential customers: One of the most efficient systems to consider is a mini-split system that is able to cool and heat. These units can work better than window units or standing units, Hill said. “On a hot Philly day of high humidity, it can be really unbearable, and the main priority for your system is actually to remove humidity.” A mini-split removes humidity as a byproduct of its cooling process. Cooler air can’t hold as much moisture as warm air, so water vapor gets condensed and drained away. Customers should speak with a qualified HVAC contractor to determine what type of equipment is best for their home and what appliances qualify for energy efficiency rebates.

9. Vampire appliances are draining electricity at night.

Electronics that remain plugged in, especially TVs, game consoles, computers, DVD players, and coffee makers, use electricity all the time, even when everyone is sleeping. “We call these vampire appliances,” Hill said, “because they drain electricity all night.”

Commercial customers: Integrate motion sensors into your lighting so that lights go off when no one is using a conference room, O’Leary said. You want to lower your energy usage by installing smart systems wherever possible.

Residential customers: “We talk about phantom load or vampire appliances, things that are running even when you’re not paying attention,” MacWilliams said. “All the things that you leave plugged in are wasting electricity. Your game consoles, TV, and cable box use a lot of energy, as do your phone and tablet chargers. Use a smart power strip to power down multiple devices at once.”

10. PECO offers rebates and incentives for energy efficient equipment upgrades.

Customers who install solar panels on their homes can earn a $500 rebate. There are many ways to be paid back simply for choosing energy efficient appliances and products.

“We recommend customers always look for ENERGY STAR equipment and buy the most efficient model of whatever they need,” O’Leary said. PECO offers residential and non-residential energy efficiency programs with rebates and incentives for a variety of energy efficient equipment upgrades.

Commercial customers: There are incentives for commercial customers on interior and exterior lighting, heating and cooling systems, motors and drives, refrigeration equipment, compressed air systems, solar installations, and more.

Residential customers: If your new fridge or AC unit is rated by ENERGY STAR, you can send in your receipt to receive a rebate. “Even small appliances, like dehumidifiers and air purifiers, are eligible for a rebate of $25,” MacWilliams said.

For more ways to save, check out the PECO website to start learning about increasing your energy efficiency. Go to Ways to Save (www.peco.com/waystosave) for a full list of helpful tips on saving money and conserving energy at your home and business.

Commercial customers can get an online assessment. “We are here to act as your trusted guides,” O’Leary said. “Fill out an assessment form, tell us what type of building you have, hours of operation, square footage, type of business, etc. The more details you provide, the better recommendations we can give,” he said. “We can provide guidance as to what kind of equipment to look for that would qualify for incentives.”

Residential customers can schedule an in-home assessment during which an energy advisor will visit your home and show you ways to save energy and money. Your advisor will bring free LED bulbs, air purifiers, and smart power strips. They’ll also generate a custom report of energy-saving suggestions that can help improve the health, safety, and comfort of your household.

Keep your refrigerator, washer, and dryer level using adjustable feet. When buying a new appliance, such as a washer, dryer, or refrigerator, make sure it’s installed level, which will help save energy. When not level, the door may not close properly. For instance, if your fridge door is off plumb, it won’t seal and will eventually leak out cold air.

Invest in fans and use them at night. A fan is very inexpensive and circulates cool air well. This is especially helpful on a summer night. When you go to sleep your body cools down two or three degrees, Hill said. “This lets you turn the thermostat a little higher, since you’re naturally going to be cooler from the inside out.” Adding a fan can help your body feel even cooler.

A ceiling fan can help circulate cool air so your AC doesn’t have to work as hard. “If you run the ceiling fan counterclockwise, it will circulate cool air [which sinks] and pull it up,” Hill said. This means cooler air circulates better and helps your AC work more efficiently.

Use trees and bushes to cool your home.

“One of my favorite things to tell people is how important trees are,” Hill said, “especially if you have trees around your home.” In summer, deciduous trees provide shade and help cool your home. When fall comes and leaves fall, sun filters through the branches to warm your house. So, plant trees and bushes to help you keep cool. If you have central air conditioning and the compressor is outside in the sun, the compressor has to work harder because it’s fighting off the elements. Place bushes around it to increase its efficiency, and be sure to check that airflow to and from your outdoor unit is not blocked by the bushes or debris.

Rebates are based on ENERGY STAR ratings from the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), which offers equipment performance ratings. Here is a sampling of residential rebates:

LUCY DANZIGER is a journalist, an author, and the former editor-in-chief of Self Magazine, Women’s Sports & Fitness, and The Beet.