Stay cool this summer and lower energy costs in Alberta with these tips and tricks

Alberta is in for another hot summer, which should mean an increase in backyard gatherings, time outdoors, and making the most of longer days. Instead, it too often means stressing about energy bills or sweating through the discomfort. Suddenly, your bill jumps simply because the AC needs to work a little harder.

But this time of year doesn’t have to mean higher energy bills. With a few simple changes at home, Albertans can stay cool, comfortable, and in control of their energy usage all season long. Here’s how.

Minor changes for big results

ATCO Energy

When it comes to cooling your home, small changes add up to meaningful savings. Something as simple as closing curtains and blinds during the day, installing reflective window film, and sealing small holes and cracks around doors and windows can reduce the temperature in your home by up to 10 per cent.

If you have a ceiling fan, set it to run counterclockwise so that it pushes cool air down. Place portable fans in front of windows in the early morning and nighttime to draw in cooler outdoor air, and remember to shut off fans when you aren’t in the room — they cool people, not spaces! These fan tips can lower your air conditioning costs by up to 14 per cent.

When temperatures rise, keeping your home cool isn’t just about running the AC. Electronics continue to draw power even when they’re turned off, so unplugging unused devices will help reduce unnecessary energy use. Switching to LED light bulbs is another simple upgrade that uses significantly less energy, and using a microwave, slow cooker, or outdoor grill instead of the oven will keep your kitchen from heating up.

All about equipment

ATCO Energy

An easy way to lower your energy costs is to make the most of your thermostat. Smart thermostats allow you to schedule higher temperatures when you’re asleep or away, and even raising your thermostat by just a few degrees can make a noticeable difference on your energy bill.

Maintaining your cooling equipment means real savings and better performance during the intense summer heat. Clean or replace filters and schedule a professional tune-up every summer to maintain your AC’s efficiency.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution that can cool you off in the summer and keep you warm in the winter, heat pumps are the way to go. With a single system, you get reliable cooling and heating options, which cut cooling costs significantly without sacrificing comfort.

Opt for a fixed rate plan

ATCO Energy

Another way Albertans are cutting costs this summer is with a fixed rate energy plan. While floating rate plans fluctuate with the energy market, a fixed rate plan locks in a price per unit of energy for a length of a term — usually a year or more.

It means you know what you’re paying before the bill arrives, which makes it easier to budget through energy-intensive winters and super hot summers.

If you’re ready to save, ATCO Energy is offering its biggest energy rates promotion of the year. Along with a $150 welcome bonus, customers can get electricity rates from  7.28¢/kWh and natural gas rates from $3.68/GJ.

Plus, when ATCO Energy customers book home services, like energy-efficiency upgrades, they can receive up to $200 off their energy bill. That’s up to $350 in savings, along with the predictable energy rates and expert support every step of the way.

To learn more about current rate options and start stabilizing your summer bills, visit the ATCO Energy website today.