Keep Cool for Less

Hot weather doesn't have to mean a big bill.

Up to half of the power used to run a typical home goes to heating and cooling according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). DP&L wants you to know how to keep cool for less during the heat of summer.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to start saving.

Air Conditioning Tips

  • Use a programmable thermostat or manually increase the temperature when you leave home. Some experts suggest 78 degrees for the setting in hot weather while you are home.
  • Clean or replace your air filter so your A/C meets less air resistance.
  • Seal air leaks around doors and windows to keep hot air out and cold air in.
  • Choose energy-efficient windows.
  • Close registers in unused rooms and close the doors.
  • Add insulation to your attic or install an attic fan to exhaust hot air.
  • Set your ceiling fan to counterclockwise to circulate air in rooms you are using.
  • Have your unit checked once a year to ensure it's working as efficiently as possible. You could save an estimated average of $35 per year on A/C with a Cooling Tune-Up performed by a partnering Miami Valley heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) company.
  • Replacing an older, inefficient A/C with a new, high efficiency model could save about $150 a year in energy costs. DP&L has a program for customers to instantly save $100-600 on the purchase of a new, high efficiency A/C.

Remove Sources of Heat

  • Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which are cooler than incandescent bulbs. Purchase DP&L's discounted CFLs at local retailers to reduce heat in your home and turn $1.30 in savings into $1,252.
  • Use drapes or blinds to block sunlight to keep the heat of the day out.
  • Avoid using your clothes dryer, oven and dishwasher during the day.
  • Refrigerators generate heat also. Get rid of your second refrigerator or freezer, DP&L will pick it up for free and pay you $25.
  • Long-term, shade trees planted to the south and west of your home could make a big difference in the temperature of your home during the summer.

Drink plenty of water in hot weather and ensure your pets have plenty of fresh water at all times and shade when they are outside. Check frequently on elderly relatives and neighbors who do not have air conditioning.