With 100-degree temperatures expected for much of the next several months in Las Vegas, what can you do to stay cool but also save money at the same time?
In a city like Las Vegas where it gets consistently hot for long periods of time, one of the easiest ways is to set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible. Energy.gov says the smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
Here are some other tips, courtesy of Energy.gov:
- Keep your house warmer than normal than while away and only lower the thermostat when you need cooling at home.
- Use fans. A ceiling fan will allow residents to raise the thermostat about 4 degrees without reducing comfort.
- But turn off fans when not in the room as fans cool people, not rooms.
- Blackout curtains and other window coverings can also create energy savings. Energy.gov has a whole list of possible window coverings to include in your home.
- Replacing a dirty air filter with a clean one every month or two. It can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5 percent to 15 percent. Consumer Reports breaks down the best air filters and what to look for when buying one.
- Regular maintenance on the coils and fins on your air conditioning unit for it to run effectively and efficiently. More details can be found here.
- Reduce your energy use elsewhere, including not running the oven, using energy efficient lights, taking showers instead of baths and minimizing use of devices that generate a lot of heat.
- Avoid putting lamps or TV sets near the thermostat.
- Seal cracks and openings to prevent air from leaking into your home.
