Air Conditioning Tips that Can Save You Money

Summertime means heat and humidity for much of the country. Which often leads to higher electric bills, as your air conditioning unit gets a serious work out. There are things you can do to help with the strain, both to your A/C and your wallet:

The U.S. Department of Energy says choosing the right temperature can provide both comfort and energy savings this summer.

"You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day from its normal setting. The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates than for those in more severe climates," DOE says.

Residents should aim to keep the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures as small possible to save the most money, the federal agency says.

To help stay cool in summer, reduce energy usage and maximize energy efficiency during hot weather, follow these tips:

• Cook meals with a microwave, crockpot or outdoor grill instead of in the oven, which adds extra heat into your home, especially in the afternoon when outdoor temperatures hit their peak. If you do have to cook in the kitchen, turn on your exhaust fan to move the hot air outside.

• Close the blinds and curtains on sun-facing windows to block the sun's rays and avoid unwanted heat.

• Postpone doing laundry, washing dishes or running the dishwasher until the evening when outdoor temperatures have cooled a bit.

• Let your dishes air dry in the dishwasher instead of using the heated drying feature, which can leak heat into your kitchen, raising indoor temperatures and humidity levels.

• Take quicker showers at a cooler temperature than normal. Steaming hot showers fill up your bathroom with hot humid air that can cause your A/C to work harder to cool the room down.

• If you have a fan, turn it on. A ceiling fan or box fan causes a wind chill effect that makes an air conditioner feel cooler when it’s set to a higher temperature setting, as long as the humidity isn’t too high.

• Take advantage of cooler temperatures at night by keeping your windows open. Close them first thing in the morning, and keep your shades and curtains drawn when it’s sunny outside to prevent the sun from heating up the house.

• Move furniture away from air ducts to allow the free flow of air throughout rooms.

• Use a smart or programmable thermostat to set and maintain temperatures that work with your schedule.

What can I do to maintain my air conditioner?

• Change or clean the air filter every month.

• Keep leaves, shrubbery and other debris at least 18 inches away from the outdoor unit to avoid blocking the airflow. Don't cover the condenser coil outside to make your house look prettier.

• If you have an outdoor drain, keep it clear and unclogged.

Read the full article here.

If the summer electric bills are taking a toll, there are ways to save on utilities that don’t involve the A/C. Remember, it’s also important to take precautions when outdoors in the summer heat.