When you turn on your air conditioner, you know your electric bill is going up. Don’t dread your next electric bill. Instead, take action today to keep that bill down. Here are a few ways you can tame your cooling bills this summer.
Seven Ways to Save Money Cooling Your House
#1 Keep the Hot Air Outside
When hot air gets inside your home, your air conditioner needs to work harder to keep the area cool. Keeping the hot air outside helps lower your cooling bills.
Check around doors and windows for air leaks. Use caulk or expanding spray foam to fill any gaps. Use weatherstripping around the movable parts.
#2 Close Your Drapes and Blinds
As the sun’s rays shine through your windows, it brings radiant heat with it. That warms up the air in your home. To prevent this, close your drapes and blinds, especially during the hottest part of the day. If you have see-through curtains, consider adding reflective film to the windows.
#3 Upgrade Your Thermostat
Do you have a simple manual thermostat? If so, it’s time for an upgrade. Install a programmable thermostat. This device allows you to set a schedule of what temperature you want the home to be at when you are there, away from home, or asleep. By raising the temperature when you’re away, your cooling bills will go down.
#4 Think About Relocating Your Thermostat
Is your thermostat in direct sun for most of the day? Is it close to a hot window or exterior door? If any of this applies, you need to relocate your thermostat. In heated areas, the thermostat will kick on more frequently, which drives up your cooling costs. Have an HVAC specialist relocate it to a cooler, shaded area of the house.
#5 Turn on the Ceiling Fans
If you have ceiling fans, turn them on all summer. When air flows across your skin, it draws away the sweat droplets. You feel cooler as a result. This evaporation effect allows you to set the thermostat a few degrees higher.
Floor fans have a similar effect if you don’t already have ceiling fans installed.
#6 Wear Cool Clothing
An easy way to keep cool without turning the thermostat down is to dress in cool clothing. Instead of jeans, put on some shorts. Switch out your work shirt for a lightweight tank top or t-shirt. Wear sandals instead of closed-toe shoes.
Dressing in lightweight clothing allows you to stay comfortable at a higher temperature.
#7 Kick It Up a Degree or Two
Turn the thermostat on your air conditioner as high as you can, while remaining comfortable. Each degree you go up saves you on cooling costs. Experiment to find which temperature offers cool comfort with maximum savings.
When you find that magic number, be sure to lock it in on your programmable or smart thermostat.
Keep your cooling bills under control by using one or more of these tips. If you need ac repair and maintenance in the summer, give us a call right away!
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