Condo Media - June 2013 - 24

HOMEOWNER’S
COLUMN NAME CORNER

Saving Energy to Stay Cool
Simple Steps for Homeowners

E

nergy bills — like the temperature — always rise in the
summer. But don’t fret: While
there are big ﬁxes* you can
incorporate to make your home more
energy-efﬁcient, there are also many
inexpensive or free solutions that can
help you cut down on costs.

Turn it up.

Set your thermostat as high as possible.
Start with 78 degrees when at home and
85 degrees when away. For each degree
above 72 you set the thermostat, you save
between 1-3 percent. Be sure to take into

consideration your health and comfort,
and drink plenty of ﬂuids to stay hydrated.

during the day to keep the temperature down.

Circulate air.

Open nights.

Use fans to keep the air moving in your
home. Ceiling fans, in particular, can
make it cooler by at least four degrees.
This could translate into a signiﬁcantly
lower monthly electric bill, as ceiling fans
only use about as much energy as a 100watt light bulb.

Shut the shades.

Windows allow a lot of heat into your
home. Keep drapes and shades closed

At night, if it’s cooler outside than in,
open your windows! Not only will this
bring some fresh air into your home, it
will give you a chance to turn off that AC.
Also, be sure to close your windows in the
morning to keep the cooler air in longer.

Wash and dry wisely.

Run only full loads when using your
dishwasher or washing machine. Whenever possible, run those appliances during
off-peak hours or when your air conditioner is turned off or barely running,
which typically is during the evening,
to save energy. Use the clothes dryers’
moisture-sensing automatic drying setting if it has one, and clean your clothes
dryers’ lint trap after each use.

Unplug.

Electronics — such as TVs, chargers, and
computers — use electricity even when
they are turned off. By unplugging these
devices when you’re not using them, you
only save a few watts, but they add up to
bigger savings over time. Use a power
strip for multiple devices, and switch it
off before you go to bed. Also, turn off
lights in unoccupied rooms.

E ssex Management Group ...

we listen to our
clients and develop a strategy to support their needs and
objectives. We combine personal communication, state-of-the
art technology, courtesy and mutual respect to achieve
optimum results for our client communities.

Why Essex Management Group?

Innovative Financial Reporting & Capital Planning
“User Friendly” On Line Support Services
21 Years of Specialized Condominium Mgmnt.
Commitment to Client Satisfaction
Website Management Support
Paperless Options
Investor Supported Services

24

CONDO MEDIA • JUNE 2013

After going through two
management companies, I was
amazed to see the unit owners
actually stand up and applaud
the eﬀorts of Essex Management
Group. They are really the
cream-of-the-crop when it
comes to property management.
—Joe Arone,
Home Association Annual Meeting

Plan pool time.

If you have a pool, shorten the operating
time if possible. Switch the pool ﬁlter and
sweeper operations to off-peak hours and
during nighttime if the pool has automatic cleaning settings. CM
*As always, be sure to consult with the
association to get approval for any major
renovations on your home.
Condo Media - June 2013

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