List: Duke Energy's tips to keep energy bills low this summer

Duke Energy offers a few easy changes that homeowners and renters can make immediately to trim their electric costs while staying cool.

Posted 10:34 a.m. May 21, 2019 — Updated 11:27 a.m. May 21, 2019

Nia Harden

, WRAL reporter

As temperatures surge into the 90s, there's no doubt that your energy bill will rise with them. Duke Energy offers a few easy changes that homeowners and renters can make immediately to trim their electric costs while staying cool.

Some of the more obvious tips include:

Change your air filter regularly
Try to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees
Close your blinds on the sunny side of the house during the day
Seal your doors and windows where cracked
Use LED lightbulbs, because they burn cool
When it's hot outside, keep your windows closed

You can also try to use your oven less by grilling or microwaving food when possible to keep extra heat out of the home.

If you have a Smart Meter, use it -- it provides detailed, daily usage information through your Duke Energy account and makes it easier to manage your usage.

Duke Energy's website offers dozens more tips sorted by room. Some new energy saving techniques to try include:

In the office:

Keep your printer off when not in use. Better yet, unplug it
Turn off your computer if you are away from it for 2 hours or more
Use a power strip, so you can turn everything "off" all at once

In the kitchen:

Turn off the coffee maker
Keep your fridge doors shut
Turn off all lights when you can

In the living room:

Keep chargers unplugged when not in use
Keep lamps off. When possible, use natural light

In the bedroom:

Fans cool people, not rooms. Turn ceiling fans off when you leave a room
Clear items around from air vents

In the bathroom:

Use LED bulbs above your sinks
Unplug electric shavers and toothbrushes
Turn off the water when you are not using it

In the garage:

Have an extra fridge or freezer? Make sure you are actually using it. If not, you're wasting energy.
Turn your water heater dial down to 120 degrees to save 6 to 10 percent on heating costs.

Find more tips online.

As homeowner Barbra Doncarlos put it, "I hate to just waste. If it will save us money in one hour and I'll be more comfortable inside, why would I not do it?"

Suggest A Correction