Use of Ceiling Fans in the Summer Months

During the summer months, using the air conditioner to keep your home cool can cost a fortune. 

Ceiling fans can help.  Cool air drops..  A ceiling fan (running counter-clockwise) draws the cool air upward and circulates it better.  This recirculation improves the efficiency of the air conditioning system, extending its life and likely, lowering your bill.

Most ceiling fans use no more electricity than a 100 watt lightbulb.  Studies have shown that this technique can reduce your AC bill by as much as 40%. 

Ceiling fans can be purchased at most hardware stores and big box stores, such as Lowes, Sears, or Home Depot for anywhere from $40 to $300.  They can also be purchased online at a site like Amazon.

Let's a family of four has three bedrooms, and a ceiling fan in each.  Assuming 100 watts per fan, $.09 per kwh, and around-the-clock use of the fans, as well as the following heating bills, we get :

In this example, we save almost $342 per year.

Sincerely,

The Frugal Maestro

Disclaimer

Put on a Sweater

When it's cold out, and you're relaxing at home, put on a sweater.  A thick sweater is worth 4 degrees.  To put this in perspective, most experts assume a 2.5% energy reduction per degree.  That's 10% off of your bill.

If a family of four lives in the midwest, and their heating bills from November to March range from $250 to $400, each of you put on the ugliest sweater you can find (make a game out of it).  Turn the thermostat down $4 and start saving money.

You could save as much as $175 a year and look like a dork in the process, but nobody cares because you're at home.

Sincerely,

The Frugal Maestro

Disclaimer