With the summer months and cooling season upon us, it is the time of year to think about how we can best get our air conditioners running at maximum efficiency and keep cooling bills down.
Here are six ideas to stay cool for less:
1.) Program your thermostat – The same rules for your programing your thermostat in the winter apply in the summer! Keep your cooling costs down by setting your temperature to “not-so-cool” at the times of day when your family is not home.
2.) Insulate where needed – Attics, crawl spaces, and attached garages can trap heat and make your air conditioner work harder. Know when to insulate to maintain the proper temperature in your home, and avoid making your air conditioner work overtime to keep up.
3.)
Do Air Conditioning Maintenance – Know why it is important to get regular maintenance on you’re A/C unit. If you are unable to keep your air conditioner tuned up yourself, hire an HVAC professional to do it for you and save the expense of a breakdown later.
4.) Change the filter – Change your air conditioner’s filter regularly to ensure the best airflow through your A/C. Experts recommend changing the filter every three to six months.
5.) Keep the hot air out – Use common sense to keep your home cooled naturally. For instance, keep windows, blinds, doors, and curtains closed during the warm times of the day.
6.) Use airflow to your advantage – Ceilings fans can help to circulate the air in your home (remember, ceiling fans should go in the counter-clockwise direction for the cooling season). Keep bedroom doors open to prevent select rooms from becoming heat traps.
Now that you have ideas to keep your cooling bill down this summer, while keeping your air conditioner running smoothly, we want to hear from you! What other ideas do you have for staying cool this summer or keeping cooling costs down?
