Keep your cool

Top energy-savings tips from MTE's EnergyPros

Summer officially arrives this month, bringing with it heat and the potential for higher electric bills. We asked MTE’s EnergyPros to share their best advice for managing energy costs without sacrificing comfort.

Seal the deal 

Installing an attic access insulation cover, also called an attic tent, to reduce air leaks between the conditioned living space and the unconditioned attic, is the top tip shared by Mark Kendrick, who advises MTE members in Williamson County. “With temperatures in the attic reaching 130+ degrees in the summer, the attic tent plays a crucial role in keeping that heat out of your conditioned area,” he said. In summer, heat from a broiling attic can raise temperatures in air-conditioned rooms below by as much as 10 degrees, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Keeping the hot air out also helps prevent a false thermostat reading, which can cause an air conditioner to unnecessarily work harder and longer, driving up the power bill. 

“Most thermostats and HVAC returns are situated directly beside or under attic access points. Without an insulated barrier, the thermostat will read the hot air seeping out of your attic,” Kendrick said. Installing an attic tent also prevents dust, insects and moisture from entering a home’s living area. 

Attic tents are available at home improvement stores. Most installations are an easy, do-it-yourself project. Kendrick suggests AtticTent.com as a good resource. 

View your vents 

One of the simplest ways to maximize the efficiency of your air conditioning unit is to keep the cool air circulating. To 
accomplish this, air intake vents must be open, uncovered and unobstructed. 

“Don’t close some vents thinking that it will push more air to another room. It won’t,” said David Willhite, MTE EnergyPro for Rutherford and Cannon counties. Instead, promote air circulation by thoroughly inspecting the vents in your home. Move toys, furniture and other objects away from vents to keep air moving. 

You’ll want to keep those vents clean too. Vacuum your air intake vents and keep them clear. Dust builds on your home’s air returns, but a couple of minutes with a vacuum can keep the air flow moving. 

Focus on filters 

Just because they’re out of sight, don’t let air filters be out of mind. Dirty air filters on air conditioning systems can choke off the flow of air to your home’s ventilation system, which can lead to costly problems, advises Phillip Price, who provides energy efficiency expertise to Wilson County co-op members.

“Good filter maintenance is an important step toward extending the life of your HVAC system and maintaining efficiency,” he said. 

Check return air filters at least once a month, and more often if you have pets or smokers in the home. Replace or clean filters as needed. 

Think thermostat 

One of the simplest ways to save energy this summer is to raise your thermostat during the hottest part of the day, suggests Katie McKee, MTE EnergyPro for Rutherford and Cannon counties.

“If you have a smart thermostat, you can program it to raise the temperature by a few degrees while you’re out of the house, then automatically cool your home down again before you return,” she said.

“Many smart thermostats have a motion sensor that detects movement in the home. If there is no movement, 
it can switch to energy-saving modes. Bumping the temperature up just a few degrees during the summer can help 
lower energy costs. Each degree can save members around 3% on their bills.”

Invite us over for a Home Energy Checkup

Schedule an appointment to have an MTE EnergyPro evaluate your home and offer customized suggestions for improved energy efficiency. This is a free service for MTE members. Learn more at mte.com/HomeEnergyCheckups.