Ways to Save a Little Money This Summer | Cleveland Bradley County Teachers Federal Credit Union

As we head into the summer months in a world of economic and health uncertainty, we’re all looking to save a few dollars everywhere we can. Fortunately, there are some easy and, in some cases, even fun ways to do just that as southeast Tennessee moves into the dog days.

Use a programmable thermostat. We all know cutting down on the amount of work your air conditioner has to do can reduce your monthly utility bills, but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer in sweat all day. Use a programmable thermostat to decrease how much your air conditioner runs during times when your home is empty, then set it to cool to comfortable levels when you’re usually there.

Ride a bike or walk as possible. As Jim Halpert of the television series “The Office” learned the hard way, biking to work in the summer can leave you a little damp. However, for short errands and those for which you don’t mind getting a little sweaty, using manpower, rather than horsepower, to get around can save gas. Plus, the exercise is great for you.

Cook outside. Cooking indoors creates a lot of latent heat that can force your HVAC to work harder to hold cool temperatures. If you have the opportunity to cook outside, whether with portable appliances or on a grill, it can eliminate that extra heat and air conditioning load. It’s also a convenient excuse to have a few more cookouts.

Ensure your HVAC is running efficiently. Keep the area around your HVAC’s condenser—the outdoor component of the system—clear of debris, including limbs and leaves. You should also change the system’s filter(s) at least every three months, though you may need to do that more often depending on what type of filter you use.

Need a place to keep all the money you’ll be saving? Let us set you up with a savings or checking account to meet your needs.