# Energy Savings During Sweltering Summer Heat

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/07/energy-savings-during-sweltering-summer-heat/
- Published: 2012-07-11T04:28:01-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

**_Summer Energy Savings Tips from NYSERDA_**

Just because temperatures are rising doesn’t mean your energy consumption has to
follow suit.  There are ways to increase energy savings in the midst of summer heat.
These tips from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
will help you find ways to save energy and money this summer.

Retire your back-up fridge. Many homes have older refrigerators in their garage 
or basement for overflow storage. Refrigerators are large energy users in your home
and can cost a lot to operate.

Ø  You can save from $300-$700 over the next five years by not running your second
refrigerator. By unplugging your second refrigerator and properly recycling it, 
you can also prevent 5,500 to 20,000 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.

Ø  If you need that extra refrigerator or freezer, buy an ENERGY STAR® qualified
model. Keep your refrigerator or freezer as full as possible, and unplug it when
empty.

Ø  A new ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator uses less energy than a 60-watt light
bulb that is on continuously. ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerators also use at least
20 percent less energy than required by current federal standards.
Dehumidify. Dehumidifiers
can remove excess moisture (humidity) from the air in your home. It is common to
have excess moisture in the basement. The ideal range for relative humidity is between
30 and 50 percent.

Ø  Some of the most common indications that you may need a dehumidifier are: musty
smells, presence of mold and mildew, rotting wood, condensation on windows and increased
allergies. If the air in your home is too moist, it will encourage the growth of
mildew, mites and mold, which are common allergens.

Ø  To reduce humidity in your basement, make sure the dryer is not venting inside
the basement. Also, be sure to check that the ground next to the foundation slopes
away and outdoor downspouts – vertical pipes that carry rainwater down from the 
roof gutter – lead at least 3 feet away from the foundation.

Ø  If you decide you need a dehumidifier for your home, look for one that has earned
the ENERGY STAR. They use less energy and can save more than $220 in energy costs
over the life of the unit.
Light saver! Lighting is one of the easiest places to
[start saving energy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/09/6-simple-ways-to-save-energy-at-your-home/).
Buy energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs instead of standard incandescent
light bulbs and you can use 75 percent less energy.

Ø  Replacing your five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them 
with ENERGY STAR qualified lighting can save you $70 a year in energy costs.

Ø  Compared to incandescent light bulbs, ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs last about 10
times longer and produce about 75 percent less heat, which reduces cooling costs.
They also are required to have manufacturer-backed warranties and meet strict energy
efficiency and performance requirements.

Ø  ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures and lamps feature stylish designs and are available
in a variety of models, including replacements for recessed cans in the kitchen,
globes for the bathroom vanity and other bulbs that have the same shape and give
off the same light as an incandescent.
Turn it off:  Try using advanced power strips
to centrally “turn off” all appliances and save energy.

Ø  Plug your DVD player, Blu-RayTM player, television, computer and other electronics
into an advanced power strip to provide easy access in powering down multiple electronics
all at once.

Ø  Purchase the right-sized advanced power strip for the right application. The 
more outlets a strip has, the more energy it uses.

Watch your water.  Water makes up much of a home’s energy usage, so be mindful of
the different ways you’re consuming water throughout your home.

Ø  Check your faucets for cracks and leaks – a mere drop of water per second can
waste as much as 10 gallons of water a week and hundreds of dollars per year.

Ø  Instead of using 30 to 40 gallons of water to take a bath, install a low-flow
showerhead, which uses less than 3 gallons a minute. You’ll save $50 per year on
average.

For more information about NYSERDA programs, please visit [nyserda.ny.gov](https://web.archive.org/web/20190120033931/https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/).

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