How to save electricity in the summer? 15 effective tips!

Red flag: the electricity bill got more expensive in December 2020, with an additional R$ 0.06243 for each 100 kilowatt-hours (kWh) consumed. With that in mind, we prepared an article focused on how to save electricity at home and at work, since conscious consumption brings numerous advantages, from resource savings to sustainability.  

There are several factors that influence the amount of this bill, for example: excessive heat, lack of rain to supply the hydroelectric plants and the use of electronic devices, such as air‑conditioning.

Thus, we invite you to stay with us and check out our 15 tips to save energy, at home or at work!

How to save electricity at home?

Below, we list six tips on how to save electricity in households, some of which can also be adapted to the corporate context.

1. Take advantage of natural light whenever possible

The first step in how to save electricity at home is to use natural lighting, opening curtains and windows during sunlight. And the best part: this habit is also healthy, because it helps the body produce vitamin D, which prevents diseases.  

In addition, it is important to turn off the lights in empty rooms. Or, if appropriate, share the space with family members who are doing other activities, as long as one person does not disturb the other, of course.

2. Gather a pile of clothes before washing or ironing  

How about gathering a good amount of clothes before starting to wash or iron? Try to schedule these tasks according to your needs, but also considering the potential savings by using the washing machine and electric iron at more spaced intervals.

3. Do not leave the refrigerator open longer than necessary

One of the main tips on how to save electricity is not to leave the refrigerator door open unnecessarily. Try to take everything you need at once, thus avoiding repeated opening and closing.  

Also check if the sealing rubber is in good condition, as well as whether the thermostat is set for the season.

4. Replace your bulbs with LED ones

By replacing your incandescent bulbs, you gain more savings, efficiency, and durability. Although the price is higher when buying an LED model, this cost can be recovered in about four months, since while incandescent bulbs cost R$ 5.48 for six hours, LED bulbs consume only R$ 0.64 in the same period.  

At the same time, it is worth considering installing motion sensors in certain areas, such as the garage. They will be activated only when there is movement and then turn off automatically.

5. Choose appliances that have the Procel and Conpet seals

Have you heard of energy efficiency? When acquiring new equipment, choose those that have the Procel and Conpet seals, which identify products recognized for optimizing the use of energy sources.

6. Switch the shower to the “summer” setting

To wrap up the tips on how to save electricity at home, a simple action is to set your shower to the “summer” position. According to Proteste, “foregoing the shower at maximum heating (winter) to use it at low heating (summer) can generate an average electricity bill savings of up to 35.5%”.  

And don’t forget to take quick showers, which also contributes to water savings, okay?

And how to save electricity at work?

Commitment to sustainability is already part of the strategic planning of many companies. Therefore, the question “how to reduce energy consumption?” is a key point to be a sustainable company and ensure business continuity.

7. Rethink the use of functional and idle spaces

To achieve greater efficiency and productivity, commission a study of the property’s functional layout to reallocate the positioning of employees, productive resources, machines, materials, and the like.  

8. Adapt the work schedule

Many companies adopted the home office regime during the coronavirus health emergency. However, there are certain operations that require employee presence. In these cases, it is worth considering a flexible work schedule for carrying out activities. 

9. Schedule equipment maintenance  

It is essential to schedule periodic maintenance, especially for older devices, as well as for those that may have impaired operation and reduced performance. 

10. Listen to employee suggestions

Including employees is a great way to implement actions to save energy. After all, you will need the engagement of the staff to put everything into practice. For example, a suggestion might arise to paint walls with light colors, which absorb less heat than dark ones.

11. Unplug devices that are not in use

When devices are not being used, the recommendation is to unplug them. According to the Brazilian Institute of Consumer Defense (IDEC), electronic devices in standby mode can increase the electricity bill by 15% per month. 

12. Use the air conditioner rationally

The tip here is to use the air conditioner only when the environment truly needs cooling, remembering to close windows and doors to avoid heat exchange with the outside. And, if possible, choose a unit with inverter technology, which adjusts to the cooling demand.

13. Migrate to the Free Energy Market (MLE)

Migrating to the MLE is the golden tip on how to save electricity in companies, potentially reducing the electricity bill by up to 30%. Along with the significant savings, these are some additional advantages of the Free Market Environment (ACL):

• Free choice of suppliers, which increases service efficiency and reduces energy prices;
• Availability of renewable energy sources: solar, wind, hydroelectric and others;
• Flexibility in negotiations between parties, with short, medium, and long‑term contracts;
• Predictability of electricity costs, with pre‑established rates for consumption;
• No peak hours, since tariffs have the same energy price regardless of consumption period;
• No tariff flags, which do not apply to free‑market consumers.

Want to know how to migrate to the Free Energy Market and considerably reduce your company's electricity bill? Talk to us and discover a new way to buy energy, with the convenience of a 100% digital platform.

Plus: how to save energy in winter?

Besides knowing how to save energy in summer, we can adapt the above tips for the demands of other seasons. In winter, for example, there is an increase in the use of heaters, electric showers, and hair dryers, which should be done rationally, as well as adjusting thermostats, taking quick showers, and so on.

So, did you like our tips on how to save electricity?

Serena Energia invests in sustainability, because it believes clean energy should be accessible to everyone. We are a 100% renewable generator and, through our initiatives, we have avoided the emission of tons of CO₂ since 2017.