Many of you have a love-hate relationship with your air conditioning units. You love when they’re working properly to keep you cool and comfortable. But you hate paying such a high price for comfort in the form of your energy bills.
Fortunately, cutting costs on cooling doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your comfort. Here are 6 great tips to help you save money and get the most out of your air conditioner.
1. Create as much shade as possible.
Just as shade can provide relief on a hot day outside, it can make being inside more comfortable as well. Consider planting trees to block the sun or keeping your blinds closed during the day. The less direct sunlight allowed into your home through the windows, the cooler your home will be. This means your air conditioner won’t have to work quite as hard, which will save energy.
2. Keep up with air conditioning service and maintenance.
Because you’re using your air conditioner more often in the summer than any other time in the year, it’s especially important to keep up with air conditioning service and maintenance. Be sure you’re changing your air conditioning filters at least every 4-6 weeks (more often if you have pets that shed often, allergies, or someone in your household smokes). Schedule regular AC maintenance to be sure your unit is working as efficiently as possible.
3. Regulate the temperature.
Ideally, you should keep your thermostat set at 78 degrees during the warmer months to conserve energy. If you’re out of the house or sleeping, you can set the temperature a few degrees warmer to avoid wasting energy. You may want to consider a programmable thermostat so you can regulate the temperature easily. With a programmable thermostat, you’ll be able to set your air conditioner to start cooling your house off before you get home, so you can walk right in and relax.
4. Use fans throughout the house.
Ceiling fans and portable fans are great for circulating cool air and helping you cool off. But you don’t want to forget about the other fans in your home. During and after cooking, be sure to use the exhaust fan to get rid of the heat much sooner. And during/after showering, be sure to use the fan in the bathroom to get rid of humidity and make the room feel cooler.
5. Rearrange your furniture.
Make sure that nothing is in the way of an air duct, which could force your AC to work harder than necessary. It’s especially important to keep TVs or anything that lets off heat away from the air ducts.
6. Consider upgrading.
If your air conditioning unit is old or outdated, you may want to look into more energy-efficient models. Not only will this save you money on future repairs, but it will help cut your costs on monthly energy bills over time.
Get helpful money-saving advice and more information on air conditioning services below. Contact us with any additional questions or to schedule an air conditioning service.
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