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Summer's Energy Drain

The summer months offer many of us the opportunity to take some much-needed time away from work. But whether we’re planning a family trip or even just enjoying some of McAllen’s amazing attractions, there is a good chance that our bank accounts will take a bit of a hit.

 

Vacations tend to come on top of all the summer programs and activities we enroll our children in. And let’s not forget that one of the biggest drains on our finances comes in the form of high energy bills.  

 

At your luxurious Villa Regale apartment homes in North McAllen, we want you to enjoy the summer without stressing over how much you’ll spend on energy in the next couple of sweltering months.

 

Consider using the following tips to help keep your energy bill in check while saving you some extra cash for that well-deserved vacation.   

 

Stop the Subtle Energy Drain

 

Did you know that even when we turn off appliances and electronics, they are still using up electricity if they are left plugged in?

 

This is known as vampire power and is a perfect description for how appliances can be energy drains in more than one way.

 

An easy system to point out the potential culprits in your home is to look for anything that has a clock or light that stays on regardless of whether it’s “off”. Other common offenders are phone chargers that are left plugged in, even when they are not charging an item.

 

Don’t think that you have to go from room to room constantly plugging and unplugging everything to beat this. You can use surge protectors or outlets connected to wall switches to help control how much energy these items use.

 

Watch How You Wash

 

There are two really important things to consider when washing dishes and clothes if you want to save some money: the size of the load you wash and the temperature of the water.

 

You want to pack as much as possible with every load of dishes or clothes because you will use the same amount of water regardless of how much you are washing.

 

When it comes to washing clothes, of course, you need to be careful not to overload your washer. And especially with the dryer.

 

If you pack your dryer to tight with wet clothes, you will probably have to run your dryer twice. The hot air in the dryer needs room to do its work and your clothes will be left wet if they don’t get to tumble enough.

 

Before you even wash your clothes, check to see how the load fits in the dryer. A good guideline to follow is to leave about a quarter of the dryer’s room unfilled so that the clothes have plenty of space to roll.

 

Regardless of which appliance you are using to get some cleaning done, use cold water as much as possible.

Using the water heater can add up to as much as 14% of the power you use, whether it’s for clothes, dishes, or taking a shower.

 

Avoid the Urge to Make Your Apartment an Igloo

 

The temperature here in McAllen (and the Greater Rio Grande Valley for that matter) often soars into the triple digits.

 

For a number of reasons, we are not always able to avoid the scorching heat of the sun. In those moments, one comforting thought is getting home and blasting our a/c to winter temperatures.

 

As wonderful as it feels, this is a costly practice and one that only offers relief a few minutes earlier than setting your thermostat at a normal temperature. There are other ways to chill out when you first get home.

If you have gotten sweaty, it’s a good idea to change into cooler clothes that are moisture-wicking or more absorbent.

 

Pouring yourself an ice-cold drink or taking a cool shower are also great tricks to cool yourself down during the hottest of summer days.

 

Come cool off at Villa Regale luxury apartments in North McAllen. Our gorgeous resort style pool and energy efficient appliances will keep your summer cool while saving you money.

 

We know that the heat doesn’t have to be a burden on your finances or a damper on your summer vacation. Contact us today at (956) 213-8888 to find out how Villa Regale can make this summer one to remember.


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