By Trish Svoboda

This week may bring some of the hottest temperatures Kansas has experienced so far this summer. High heat can make air conditioners work harder, but Evergy offers tips to save energy and money while staying cool during the hot summer.

To improve efficiency and maintain comfort, set your manual thermostat 3-5 degrees warmer than usual. According to Evergy, up to 25 percent of your home’s energy escapes through windows. Adding curtains, shades, or blinds and keeping them closed during the hottest part of the day can help keep your home cooler.

Another tip is to prevent cool air from escaping by keeping exterior doors properly sealed. Add weatherstripping inside door frames, attach a door seal to the bottom, and use a draft stopper to block gaps at the threshold.

Evergy also suggests saving energy by using larger appliances and electronics outside peak demand times (4 p.m. – 8 p.m.), when both grid demand and air conditioner usage are highest. Additionally, consider pre-cooling your home during off-peak hours with a smart thermostat.

It is also recommended to regularly change your AC filter to ensure efficient operation. Set ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise to push cool air down but remember to turn them off when leaving the room as they cool people, not spaces. Wash clothes in cold water to save around 50 cents per load and lastly, lower your water heater temperature from 140 degrees to 120 degrees to reduce your water heating energy bill by over 10 percent.