We all know that the summer months in Michigan brings heat and humidity.
As the outdoor temperatures climb, so does your energy use. DTE has tips to help you manage your energy use, so you can stay cool and comfortable all summer long, and save money on your energy bill.
Taking steps to avoid daily household activities that add extra heat and humidity to your home, especially on hot days, can reduce your energy usage.
Consider the following:
· Use a microwave, air fryer or outdoor grill instead of your oven to cook meals, which adds extra heat into your home, especially in the afternoon when outdoor temperatures hit their peak. If you do have to cook in the kitchen, turn on your exhaust fan to move the hot air outside.
· Postpone doing laundry or running the dishwasher until the evening once outdoor temperatures have cooled down a bit.
· Let your dishes air dry in the dishwasher instead of using the heated drying feature, which can leak heat into your kitchen, raising indoor temperatures and humidity levels.
· Take quicker showers at a cooler temperature than normal. Steaming hot showers fill up your bathroom with hot humid air which can cause your AC to work harder to cool the room back down.
· Visit the DTE Marketplace for instant rebates and savings on energy efficient products, such as light bulbs, thermostats and more. And use the Comparison Tool to find and compare the most energy efficient appliances and electronics.
· Download the free DTE Insight app to help track your energy usage this summer and take steps to reduce energy use and save on your energy bill.
· For room-by-room tips, rebates and energy efficient product suggestions, visit our virtual, Interactive Energy Efficient Home for more ways to keep cool and save all summer long.
· Learn more about how to stay cool and keep your energy costs down this summer at dteenergy.com/staycool.