Save money on your NC energy bill this summer by following these expert tips

Temperatures in the high 90s with heat indexes exceeding 100 degrees continue in North Carolina, which means many residents will have their air conditioners on full blast.

Unfortunately, this can result in a high energy bill.

Electric bills are expected to increase by 8% nationally due to extreme heat this year, USA Today reported . North Carolina residents could pay nearly $60 more per month in energy costs, on average.

But there are ways to keep costs down during the summer months.

Here’s what temperature to set your thermostat to save money, other energy conservation tips and how to track your energy usage in North Carolina.

How to save money with your thermostat

To cut down on energy usage, you should set your thermostat to the highest comfortable setting in the summer. Duke Energy recommends 78 degrees when you’re home and 80 degrees while you are away — and says “each degree you raise your thermostat can help you save up to 5% in cooling costs.”

“You can save as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting,” according to the U.S. Department of Energy . “The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.”

You can even set your thermostat to a warmer temperature while you’re away, as long as you’re not blasting your AC as soon as you get home.

“Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense,” the U.S. The Department of Energy’s website says. “A higher interior temperature will slow the flow of heat into your house, saving energy on air conditioning.”

Energy saving tips for summer

Here are some other tips that help reduce costs on your energy bill, according to Duke Energy :

• Operate ceiling fans in a counterclockwise direction . This will push cooler air back down into the room and allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees, typically with no reduction in comfort.

• Close curtains and blinds during sunny days to help prevent the sun from heating your home.

• Change air filters regularly . Dirty air filters make a cooling system work harder, but replacing them can lower your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5% to 15%.

• Make sure cool air isn’t escaping by checking windows, doors and vents for air leaks. Caulking, sealing and weatherstripping leaks can save 10% to 20% in cooling costs.

• Use cooler water when washing your clothes . Switching your temperature setting from hot to warm can cut a load’s energy use in half.

How can you track your energy usage?

You can visit duke-energy.com or the Duke Energy app to track your energy usage.

The company also provides usage alerts , or notifications that show how much electricity you’re using and how much it may cost.

“Tracking when energy use is spiking can help customers adjust habits that may be driving up their monthly bill,” Duke Energy says.

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