Missouri Life June 2023

MISSOURI GREEN LIFE

ummertime heat in Missouri might scorch your skin, but it doesn’t need to burn your wallet, too. Apply a few easy-to-use energy tips and you might be sur prised by how much you save. Missouri Life asked two energy experts— Tony Lozano, director of energy solutions for Ameren Missouri, and Paul Englert, weatherization specialist for Spire Energy in St. Louis—to share their hot takes on keeping cool as temperatures rise. TIP #1: Make your thermostat work smarter, not harder. You can save up to $180 in energy costs annually by installing a smart thermostat programmed to run cooler when you’re home and a tad warmer when you’re out of the house, Lozano says. But don’t just consider your AC thermostat. Also examine your water heater. By adjusting that water heater from the default 140 degrees to 120, you can save between 6 percent and 10 percent on water-heating costs. TIP #2: Tune up your HVAC system. Have a trusted service provider do a routine inspection of your HVAC system before things really heat up, Englert advises. “Make sure to clean the AC condenser,” he says. Lozano adds a reminder to replace your in-home air filters at least once every three months. “Improve air flow while preventing things like dirt, pet dander, and pollen from circulating throughout the home,” he says. “A clogged air filter can cause HVAC systems to use up to 15 percent more energy.” TIP #3: Keep those shades at the ready. You prob ably wear sunglasses when it’s bright outside. Your house deserves the same treatment. Keep curtains and drapes closed, especially during the afternoon, to cut down on heat in your home by as much as 33 percent, Lozano says. TIP #4: Investigate the attic. A place you seldom visit could contribute in a big way to overall energy savings. First, make sure your attic is insulated with R-49 materi al, which keeps substantial amounts of heat out, Englert says. Next, explore air-sealing your attic, to close cool air escape routes. TIP #5: Fine-tune your ceiling fan. Here’s a fun fact: When you set your ceiling fan to rotate counterclock Keep Your Cool 9 Summer Energy-Saving Tips STORY Nate Birt S

wise, it distributes cool air better than the other way around, Lozano explains. What’s more, running a fan in tandem with your AC means you can set your thermo stat four degrees higher than normal—saving you on your cooling bill while maintaining optimal comfort. TIP #6: Visit your vents. Avoid funneling extra ener gy—and by extension, extra cash—into rooms you’re not using. Check each room where you have vents. Close vents in places you seldom or never use. Then, close the door behind you. This will make sure the energy you pay for only goes where it’s needed most, Lozano explains.

Making simple changes, such as installing a smart thermostat, can equate to hundreds of dollars in energy savings every year.

Tip #7: Seal off those gaps. Try this exper iment: At each exterior door in your home, place a dollar bill against the door frame, hold it in place and close the door. “If the dollar bill can pull out easily, you are losing money,” Englert says. This is a sign you need new weatherstripping. This material, available at any hardware store, keeps cool air inside while preventing hot air from entering your house. Tip #8: Take your activities outdoors. Consider a sum mertime menu that gets you cooking outdoors, Lozano says. This can help you avoid trapping heat in your house. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the breeze and views. Tip #9: Seek high-efficiency appliances. Your utility companies might offer rebates on HVAC systems and other appliances that use less energy than other models, Englert says. Upgrades on a small scale can help, too. Lozano points to advanced power strips that provide surge protection while cutting off power to connected devices when not in use. “Eliminating standby power from unused devices can save the average household $100 per year,” he says.

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