Have an Energy Efficient 4th of July

With the 4th of July right around the corner, many of us are thinking about getting together with friends and family. Though it can certainly be fun, entertaining can be pricey! From food and drinks to decorations, having a party can rack up expenses. Unfortunately, entertaining also often becomes expensive in terms of energy efficiency. Therefore, here are a few tips to help you have fun and save energy this 4th of July.

Cook Outside

Grilling is a 4th of July staple, and by making tasty burgers and hot dogs on the grill, you can help keep your home cool. Using the oven and stove is a surefire way to heat the inside of the house and subtract from all the hard work of the air conditioner. Therefore, stick to cooking outdoors!

Pay Attention to Doors

With a large crowd, it can be hard to ensure that doors and windows stay closed. However, whenever possible, take a peek to ensure that doors are not open and valuable cooled air is not escaping outside. If the weather is nice, try to have most of the party outside so that there is little reason for guests to go in and out.

Turn Off the Lights

Allow the sun to light up your party! If guests are outside, keep the majority of the lights off inside. Even if some people are inside, you can still open the shades and curtains and allow some natural light in.  At nighttime? Turn off the lights to see the fireworks better!

For more information about making sure that your home is as energy-efficient as possible, contact FLAME! Also, check out this article from the U.S. Department of Energy, where some of this information is from “Save a Little Energy this 4th of July.”