With the summer heat rolling in, now is the time to start planning your energy-saving strategy. Follow these simple steps to help lower your electric bill as well as the temperature in your home this season.
Replace Air Filters
A new air filter will ensure that your central cooling system is operating at peak capacity. This simple fix can reduce your energy consumption by up to 15 percent. Don’t forget to change your filter every one to three months.
Keep Vents Clear
Move any furniture that may be blocking the vents around your home and be sure to check that they are open and free of any dust. This will allow your cooling system to circulate air more effectively.
Seal and Insulate
Conduct a thorough inspection for air leaks around your home. Consider installing weatherstrips on the bottom of externally-facing doors and caulking the edges of your windows to prevent the loss of any cool air. You want to air condition your home, not the outdoors!
Energy Efficient Thermostats
Being intentional with your temperature settings is one of the best ways to help reduce your energy bill. Smart thermostats are a good option to keep tabs on the temperature in your home — whether you’re away or asleep.
Average Monthly Payment
Manage your monthly bills with our Average Monthly Payment (AMP) plan. AMP spreads the cost of heating and cooling over the whole year to account for seasonal increases in usage.
To learn more about ways to save, visit AEPOhio.com/Save.
i purchased a SMART thermostat plus professional INSTALLATION IN may. WHEN WILL YOU COME TO INSTAL it?? ITS CAME HERE MAY 11 STILL IN THE BOX. PLESAE CONTACT ME TO SET UP TIME FOR INSTALLATION..
Hi Samuel. I know the pandemic may have caused some delays in our installation process. If you need scheduling help, please email YourPowerHelp@aep.com.
Any way Ito save i have combo air heat unit that looks like x lg air conditioning unit by frigadaire.
Hi Vicki. I’d recommend going to AEPOhio.com/Save to review your options. You can also call us at (866) 997-3578 with questions.
Are you sending me postcards asking me If i want to lock in my price?
Are those real? Or not?
Brigit, without seeing the postcard I can’t say for sure. I would recommend calling us (800) 672-2231 to discuss pricing options.
I keep getting phone calls, not identified as AEP on caller ID, to tell me I have been overcharged for my electricity and am eligible for a rebate from the electric company. Is this a scam? How are they getting away with that?
Hi Richard. I can’t be sure but it does sound like a scam. The best way to verify if it’s truly an AEP representative is to call us at (800) 672-2231. Signs to watch for include the caller asking for your personal account information, or insisting on a prepaid credit card, wire transfer on other specific form of payment. More info is at AEPOhio.com/StopScams.
Any help with purchasing a new Heat Pump? Besides a rebate. I am a Senior and raising a grandson. The air is not working and was told I should replace the Heat pump because it is a 2004. The estimate is $7,000. I cannot afford that.
Hi Marla. Unfortunately, we do not have any other offers outside of the rebate.
I live in a not so energy efficient apartment. Suggestions for saving money since I can’t control what kind of air filter and thermostat I have?
We have plenty of suggestions, Kristen! Thanks for asking. There’s a list of low cost energy-saving tips here: https://aepohio.com/save/residential/learn/LowNoCostTips.aspx
Before summer arrives, also check your air conditioning system. If it’s old, think about replacing it with a more energy-efficient model that has a high SEER rating and an ENERGY STAR label. Also, remember to look into the new HVAC regulations that started this year to make sure you’re in compliance.
Thank you for the reminder! I only want to add that new minimum efficiency requirements differ in northern and southern states.
Let me add one more thing that will help you save on your energy bills in the summer. If you have a central air conditioning system, remember to inspect your ductwork for leaks and eliminate them when needed. Leaky ducts can cause a decline of up to 40% in your home’s cooling efficiency.
Thank you for your valuable tips. As for the thermostat, in summer, set it to 78 degrees when you’re at home and to at least 80 degrees if your home is vacant for more than a few hours.
I love the idea of installing a smart thermostat. But for better results, I want to suggest you set your thermostat a tad higher in summer and a bit lower in winter.
So, in summer, set your thermostat to 75°F when you wake up, 80°F when you leave, 75°F in the evenings, and 78°F (or turn it off) when you sleep. In winter, set your thermostat to 68°F when you wake up, 60°F when you leave, 68°F in the evenings, and 60°F when you sleep.
You won’t feel a big change in temperature, but you’ll see a significant reduction in energy usage.
Great tips! One suggestion that caught my attention is installing low-emissivity glass windows in your home. These windows have a special coating that prevents heat from entering during summer. This means better insulation and less need for cooling, which can save you money on energy bills. Of course, it is not that cheap to buy and install. However, if such windows are compared with regular windows, they will bring more savings in the long term.
Great article with practical tips for summer savings! One additional tip to consider is to utilize natural ventilation. On cooler summer evenings, open your windows and let the fresh air in to naturally cool your home and help your air conditioning work less hard. This can help reduce energy consumption and provide a refreshing breeze.
Thanks for bringing up the importance of changing air filters. Changing or cleaning the air filter is a relatively simple task that most homeowners can do themselves. To do this, just check the HVAC system’s manual for guidance on how often to change the filter and the specific type of filter to use.
And regarding filter types, a filter with a MERV rating between 6 and 13 is usually fine for most homes. Filters with a higher MERV rating can make your system work harder and use more energy, so it’s best to avoid them unless your system specifically needs them.