It’s expected that your summer utility expenses will go up. How much they increase will depend on your house’s use of energy. Use these energy efficiency tips to save money on summer cooling costs.

Use Your Thermostat

Set your thermostat higher than 72 degrees, even when you’re home. Adjust the thermostat up one degree at a time until you aren’t comfortable. When you away from home, set it even higher. Install a programmable thermostat to avoid having to remember to manually adjust the temperature.

Update Your Home

To keep your house cooler:

  • Install ceiling fans or purchase portable fans. You can run fans for less money than you can the AC. A good fan in the room can let you lower the temperature on your AC while still maintaining the same comfort level.
  • Draw the blinds during the hottest part of the day. Open them again at night.
  • Strategically place trees and shrubs to provide natural shade.
  • Use your outdoor grill. If you don’t heat up the kitchen, you don’t have to cool it down.
  • Use cold water to wash clothes, if possible. Dry your clothes on the clothesline to avoid heating up the laundry room.
  • Keep your electronic devices away from the thermostat. Computers, lamps and TVs trick the thermostat into thinking the room is hotter than it is. They also produce heat that raises the overall temperature in the room. Turn them off when not in use.
  • Install LED lighting instead incandescent bulbs. LED lights use less energy, last longer and don’t turn light into heat. If you still have regular bulbs, avoid turning on the lights during the day to produce even more heat.

Get your AC checked out if it doesn’t seem to be cooling effectively. Running the AC when it’s acting inefficient can increase your bill. The quicker you make repairs, the more comfortable you’ll be. We’re here 24/7 to get your AC problems resolved quickly.