Professionals offer tips to help conserve energy

With sizzling summer temperatures increasing, locals could find themselves looking for ways to save on their energy bills while still staying cool.

Patty Singleton-Seay of Covington Electric Cooperative on Wednesday offered some tips for keeping your electric bill in check.

“Adjust the thermostat,” she said. “During warmer months, raising the thermostat a few degrees can save money. Set the temperature between 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and you could save up to 8 percent on monthly cooling bills.”

Singleton-Seay suggested purchasing programmable thermostats, which make it easier to save by offering a pre-programmed setting that helps regulate a home’s temperature throughout the year.

She also encouraged using fans.

“While they don’t replace an air conditioner or heat pump, fans move the air so everyone feels more comfortable,” she said. “On milder days, fans can save as much as 60 percent in cooling bills. Fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave.”

Like any equipment, regular maintenance is a must.

CEC recommends that consumers have their HVAC systems serviced annually by a certified technician, which helps extend the life of the system and save money.

Singleton-Seay also suggested purchasing ENERGY STAR equipment.

“When it’s time to replace that cooling system, we recommend replacing it with an ENERGY STAR qualified model,” she said. “This could reduce energy costs by as much as 30 percent. Tax credits and rebates on qualifying ENERGY STAR models may be available.”

Singleton-Seay also said that when it comes to cooling one’s home, bigger isn’t always better.

“Too often, cooling equipment isn’t sized properly and could lead to higher electric bills,”s he said. “A unit that is too large for your home will not cool evenly and might produce higher humidity indoors.”