Back to list Service & repair Jun 20, 2011 23:00 Don't Let The Heat Burn A Hole In Your Wallet Pittsburgh, PA (6/21/2011) - Say hello to shorts, tank tops, and flip flops, summertime has officially started today. As we all look forward to hanging out poolside, brighter days, and summer vacation it is important to keep in mind that summer heat also means higher energy consumption. "Recent temperatures have been through the roof, and with the kids home on summer vacation, overall energy consumption is typically much higher," said Cory Byzewski, vice president & general manager for Direct Energy. "But you don't have to break out into a sweat about your energy bills. By implementing a few easy tips, you can keep your summer energy costs in check without having to sacrifice on comfort. Direct Energy offers ten simple tips under ten dollars to lower your energy bill this summer, without having to resort to wearing a swimsuit indoors. Tips Turn off air or close vents in unused rooms and shut the doors. Don't lose money cooling rooms that aren't in use. Close curtains or blinds on windows that are receiving direct sunlight to keep the heat out of the house. Replace the light bulbs in your home to compact fluorescents. CFL's use up to 75% less electricity than a incandescent bulb and can last ten times as long $2 - $8/bulb Increase your air conditioner temperature by 2 degrees. Your air conditioner uses three to five percent more energy for each degree that your air conditioner is set below 75 degrees. Set your thermostat at 77 degrees to provide the most comfort at the least cost. Seal your doors, windows and air ducts with weather stripping or caulk. Up to 30% of cooling can be lost through holes and cracks throughout your home. This can save you up to $150 a year on your energy bills. $2.50 - 7.95/Door Weather Stripping $2/Caulk Unplug vampire electronics when not in use - items like cell phone, iPod, and computer chargers tend to suck energy even when they are not being used. With 10-40 of these in each home, American's spend the equivalent of one month's worth of energy bills on these devices. Defrost your freezer regularly. When ice builds up, your freezer uses more electricity. Microwaves use substantially less energy than ovens. Use one when cooking and reheating items. Even better, use the outdoor grill and have yourself a summer barbeque. If you're going to be away from home for a long time, say, on summer vacation, turn the temperature up. Better yet, turn the air conditioning unit off. Clean or replace your air conditioner's filter every month. Not only will it prevent wear-and-tear on your system, it can save up to 5% on your energy bills. $0.75 - $10/per filter For more energy efficiency tips and information or please visit the company's website. About Direct Energy Direct Energy is one of North America's largest energy and energy-related services providers with more than 6 million residential and commercial customer relationships. Direct Energy provides customers with choice and support in managing their energy costs through a portfolio of innovative products and services. A subsidiary of Centrica plc (LSE:CNA), one of the world's leading integrated energy companies, Direct Energy operates in 46 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and 10 provinces in Canada. For additional information, contact: Shabina Zakaria Direct Energy Press Office 1-713-877-3611 Shabina.Zakaria@directenergy.com Claire Monaghan Direct Energy Press Office 1-281-222-6033 Claire.Monaghan@directenergy.com