2015-04-April-Web

Energy Tips
During the summer, air conditioning can account for 50% or more of your total
electric bill. Follow the tips below to increase energy efficiency and save money.
- Leave most of the air vents open in your home. Closing air vents in more than 10%
of your total conditioned space creates a pressure imbalance and reduces the
effectiveness of your cooling system.
- Do moisture-producing chores when it is cooler and your cooling system won't have
to work as hard. Wash clothes and dishes or mop floors in the early morning or at
night.
- Prevent heat gain inside the house by taking these steps to lessen the load on your
cooling system.
Air conditioners and heat pumps
- Set the thermostat between 78 to 80 degrees when you are home and up to 85
degrees when you are away. For every degree you set your thermostat above 80
degrees, you can save approximately 2 to 3% on cooling costs.
- Install a programmable thermostat. Set it to allow the temperature in your home to
increase by 5-10 degrees while you're away and to return to a comfortable level an
hour before you return.
- Turn your air conditioning fan to "Auto." This turns the fan motor off when the unit is
not cooling. Using "Auto" rather than "On" can save you $15 to $25 each month on
your energy costs.
- Schedule maintenance service on your cooling system once a year by a Certified
Contractor to maintain its efficiency.
- Buy a higher-SEER unit when the time comes to replace your cooling system. The
efficiency of heat pumps and air conditioners is indicated by the Seasonal Energy
Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The higher the number, the more cooling you will get for
your dollar. Ask a qualified air conditioning contractor what level of efficiency is right
for your home.
- Buy the right size cooling system. A unit that is too large for your house will cause
frequent cycling, inefficient operation and higher operating costs.
- Set your ceiling fans to blow downward during the summer to circulate air rather
than lowering your thermostat.
- Clean debris and obstructions from around outdoor air conditioning components.
- Replace disposable air filters or clean permanent ones at least once a month. A dirty
filter forces your equipment to work harder, causing higher energy bills.
Events Around Town
for May 2015
Mother’s Day
May 10
6th Annual Arizona Barbecue
Festival
May 2
Scottsdale - Salt River Fields at
Talking Stick
6th Annual Arizona Barbecue
Festival – Salt River Fields at
Talking Stick, live bands, “redneck
themed” games, beer and booze,
and (literally) tons of smoked
meat such as brisket, chicken,
pulled port, ribs and all the fixin’s,
kid’s zone, $12 GA, $60 VIP, 11
am – 8 pm, 480-270-5102 or
azBBQfestival.com
20th Annual Peach Festival
Queen Creek - Schnepf Farms
May 9 - May 10
20th Annual Peach Festival – Paint
the Town Peach – Schnepf Farms,
orchards will be open for picking,
peach foods sampling tent, peach
pie eating contest, peach pit toss,
arts & crafts, carousel rides,
petting barn, honeybee rides, live
entertainment, free, 7:30 am – 4
pm, 480-987-3100 or
schnepffarms.com
Slide the City
Downtown Phoenix
May 16
Summer time is upon us, and we
are bringing 1000 feet of slick
vinyl to brighten your city streets.
Come dressed to impress because
it’s not every day you can strut
through town with your hot bod,
cool dance moves and slick slides.
Did we mention 1000 feet? Yeah,
that’s over 3 football fields.
Melville Team Partners
We like to think of ourselves as
carney workers, without the
mullets and the missing teeth.
Slide the City is a family friendly
slip-and-slide water party event.
There will be live music, food,
drinks, water, and of course the
biggest slip and slide ever to hit
asphalt.
Make sure to bring your water
buckets, floaties, and water guns
(non-realistic of course), to squirt,
spray, splash, and get all attending
soaked.