News You Can Use
As temps rise, electric bills don't have to follow
University Relations
News Bureau (662) 325-3442
Contact: Kenneth Billings
July 24, 2008
STARKVILLE, Miss.-With summer temperatures now stuck in the 90-100-degree range, Mississippians again face the challenge of beating the heat while staying energy conscious and keeping home cooling bills low.
Some often view these as near impossible goals, but a Mississippi State electrical engineering researcher says it's possible to stay cool indoors while not breaking the bank during summer's height.
A few simple energy-saving steps can be made at home for little or no cost, according to assistant professor Anurag Srivastava. They include:
- Setting cooling-system thermostats just one degree higher than normal when residents are present and between 75-78 F degrees when no one is home;
- Keeping curtains closed on the south, east and west sides of the house during the day;
- Turning off lights, televisions and other appliances when not needed, and using the "sleep mode" on computers;
- Changing central air filters monthly, since dirty filters force units to work harder;
- Replacing incandescent bulbs with the new compact fluorescents that use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer; and
- Caulking and weather-stripping windows and doors, as well as sealing floor gaps and walls around pipes and electrical wiring, to prevent cool-air leaks.
Also, while there are costs involved, the addition of insulation to attics, crawl spaces and accessible exterior walls will pay for itself over time.
For more energy-saving tips, visit such online sites as http://www.energyright.com/.