Staying Cool Without Breaking the Bank

If you’re like most people, saving money on your household expenses is a top priority. And heating and air conditioning bills are likely one of your top expenditures. In fact, the?U.S. Energy Information Administration?indicates that your air conditioning system alone accounts for about 12 percent of your home energy expenses. While utility bills are a part of life, we can still take some measures to conserve energy – and ultimately save money.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your home’s air conditioning efficiency at no added cost. Here are six ways you can help your AC system operate as efficiently as possible, even on the hottest days.

6 Steps You Can Take to Help Your AC Operate More Efficiently and Help You Save on Utility Bills

1. Keep your outdoor unit clean and free of debris. Make sure grass, weeds, and shrubbery are all trimmed back and the air can flow freely around your outdoor unit. Wash off any grime or dirt buildup on the unit and check for rodent or insect nests.
2. Make sure indoor vents are clean and not blocked.?Check your vents regularly for any dust and debris. If you have pets, you might want to double up on those efforts as floor vents are perfect hosts for the fur they shed! Keep an open space around the vents so the air can flow freely.
3. Keep heat sources away from your thermostat.?Appliances that produce heat?and?such as lamps can cause your thermostat to register a higher temperature in the room, making your air conditioning system have to run longer than need be.
4. Speaking of your thermostat, turn it up a few degrees.?Simply increasing your thermostat in the summer by five degrees can help you save energy, and potentially money on your utility bills. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can adjust temperatures for when you are home, away, or sleeping.
5. Don’t use heat-producing appliances during mid-day.?Usually, during the mid-day hours, temperatures are at their warmest. Try to forgo using your dryer, stove, and oven during these times. And, you can save even more energy by line-drying your clothing and grilling out!
6. Close curtains and blinds during mid-day.?When the sun is beating down directly onto the windows of your home, it can get hot inside in a hurry. During this time of day, drawing your curtains or closing your blinds can deter some of that heat from entering your home.

Spending a little money can help you save energy, too.

Of course, there are improvements you can make that will help you save on energy expenses in the long run. These include:

• Getting annual AC maintenance from a professional HVAC contractor
• Choosing high-efficiency HVAC equipment when it comes time to replace your system
• Insulating any exposed ductwork with the appropriate duct insulating materials
• Purchasing blackout curtains and shades for your home to reduce the heat from sunlight
• Making sure your entire home is properly insulated, so conditioned air stays inside