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Helpful Tips to Reduce Energy Usage and Costs This Summer
A street corner during the day. It's the junction of 6th street and Minnesota Avenue.

Helpful Tips to Reduce Energy Usage and Costs This Summer

Beat the heat, save money, and protect the environment

(KANSAS CITY, Ks) — As the temperatures outside rise, so too does energy consumption resulting from air conditioning and other summertime activities. With a little planning and following the tips below, you can beat the heat, reduce energy usage and utility costs, and minimize your carbon footprint.

  • Give your air conditioner a checkup. Clearing or cleaning a clogged A/C unit filter can save 5 to 15% in energy use, and keeps the unit in proper working order.
  • Adjust your thermostat. Set your thermostat temperature just cool enough to keep you comfortable, and then bump it up one degree! Each degree set above 75⁰F could save 10-15% in energy used.
  • Use fans instead of/or to supplement A/C.Fans use 1/60th the energy of an air conditioner. While they don’t cool the air, they pull body heat away from the skin, and can be used alongside air conditioning, letting you raise your thermostat a few degrees and still remain comfortable. Ceiling fans make rooms feel four degrees cooler.
  • Use electricity during off-peak hours. The time of day you use electricity is also important. Shifting energy use to “off peak” hours – early morning or late at night – can help reduce load on the grid and lower energy costs.
  • Block the sun with shades and drapes. When fully pulled down and
    closed over a window with a lot of sun exposure, blinds can reduce heat
    gain by up to 45%
  • Close doors & vents. Closing doors and A/C vents in rooms that are not
    in use can help make your cooling system more efficient, and cuts back
    on cooling rooms no one is in.
  • Plants provide much needed shade.Planting shrubs and trees on the
    south and west sides of your house, or at least over your outdoor A/C
    unit, can make your cooling system up to 10% more efficient.
  • Kitchen & Laundry. Avoid frequently opening your refrigerator. A microwave uses less energy than an oven. Wash full loads of clothes. Hang clothes to dry instead of using a clothes dryer.

About BPU

BPU’s water department was originally created in 1909, and its electric utility was operational in 1912. The purpose of the utility, then and to this day, is to provide the highest quality electric and water services at the lowest possible cost. Today the publicly owned utility serves approximately 65,000 electric and 53,000 water customers, primarily in Wyandotte County, Kansas. The mission of the utility and its employees is “to focus on the needs of our customers, to improve the quality of life in our community while promoting safe, reliable and sustainable utilities.” BPU’s Web site is www.bpu.com


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