PowerHouse Tip of the Month
July Tip of the Month: Beat the heat with fans
Using fans is one of the simplest ways to stay comfortable as temperatures rise. By keeping air moving, fans help you feel cooler even with the thermostat set a little higher. That can reduce how often your air conditioner needs to run without sacrificing comfort.
Ceiling fans and portable fans both offer easy ways to cool. In the summer, set ceiling fans to spin counterclockwise to push cool air down. Placing a box or tower fan near a window can help circulate fresh air through your home, especially during cooler parts of the day. Small adjustments like these can make a noticeable difference in how your home feels.
Fans work best paired with other smart habits. Close blinds during the hottest parts of the day and limit heat from cooking or electronics to help keep indoor temperatures more manageable. Together, these changes can ease the strain on your cooling system and help you use less energy over time.
June Tip of the Month: Install a smart thermostat to save energy and earn rewards
A smart thermostat takes some of the guesswork out of managing your home’s energy use. It automatically adjusts heating and cooling settings based on your schedule to help keep your home comfortable without running your system more than necessary. According to energystar.gov, ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostats save an average of 8% on heating and cooling costs per year.
Many models learn your preferences over time and adjust automatically. Almost all use a mobile app so you can manage settings from your phone. That level of control can help reduce unnecessary energy use even when you’re away from home.
Plus, when you purchase a qualifying smart thermostat from the Alliant Energy® Marketplace, you can receive an instant discount and earn ongoing rewards by enrolling in Alliant Energy® Smart Hours. The Smart Hours program helps us coordinate with lots of smart devices across our service territory to help reduce spikes in energy demand on extra hot or cold days. During occasional Smart Hours events, your thermostat will make small adjustments to shift energy use away from times of high demand – all while maintaining your home comfort. You’ll receive an enrollment bonus, along with $25 for each season you participate.
Explore your options and see how you can start earning rewards.
May Tip of the Month: Clean vents around your home
Spring cleaning is a good time to look beyond closets and cabinets. Refrigerator coils and air vents around your home can quietly collect dust, pet hair and debris all year long. HVAC vents, floor registers, bathroom fans, dryer vents and refrigerator coils are easy to miss, but they affect how efficiently your home runs.
When dust or lint clog vents and coils, it restricts airflow. That causes heating and cooling systems and appliances to work harder than necessary to keep your home comfortable during spring’s changing temperatures.
A quick cleaning helps:
- Improve airflow.
- Support efficient HVAC system and appliance operation.
- Reduce dust and lint circulation.
Dust buildup is not just an efficiency issue. Over time, debris around vents, coils and dryer exhausts can trap heat or strain equipment. Keeping these areas clean helps systems run as intended and can reduce wear, overheating or other issues caused by restricted airflow.
Try adding these quick tasks to your spring cleaning routine:
- Wipe down HVAC vent covers and floor registers.
- Vacuum inside reachable vent openings.
- Clean dryer lint traps and check accessible dryer vent areas.
- Gently clean refrigerator coils.
Make vent cleaning part of your seasonal checklist. It’s a simple way to care for systems you rely on every day and help maintain a safer, well‑functioning home.
April Tip of the Month: Get an air conditioner tuneup
Your air conditioner works hard when temperatures climb. A professional tuneup helps make sure it’s ready when you need it most. Small maintenance steps now can help your system run more efficiently and avoid unexpected breakdowns later.
Proper maintenance helps your air conditioner use less energy to keep cooling costs lower. It can also extend the life of your system by reducing wear and tear on key components.
Regular maintenance also helps identify potential safety concerns early, protecting your home when your system is under added demand.
Get a tuneup ahead of peak cooling season so you know your system is ready when hot weather arrives.