The warm weather that accompanies summer can be a joy for many reasons. However, the increased use of air conditioning to keep your house cool can be a problem. With the air conditioner running many of the summer days, homeowners are likely to notice and increase to their electricity bill. For many people the increased spending that is needed to stay comfortable can be hard to bear. Fortunately, there are many different steps that the average person can take to decrease home cooling costs.
1. Keep up on air conditioning maintenance
Taking steps to make sure that you are getting the most cooling for your money will be an important consideration. Not only should homeowners continue to regularly change the filters on the HVAC system, but it is also recommended that they schedule a yearly cleaning and inspection of the air conditioner. Air conditioners that are either in poor working order or dirty will not provide efficient cooling. Getting an annual inspection and cleaning will ensure that the system is clean and functioning properly, which will be a step toward getting the most for your money when it comes to cooling the home.
2. Take advantage of shade
Allowing the sun to shine into the home may feel and look nice, but it can significantly increase the temperature. Keeping your curtains and blinds closed during the hottest parts of the day will keep the interior temperatures down. This is especially true for windows where the sun may shine directly into the house. Along with curtains and blinds, homeowners can make use of items like solar window shields.
3. Use a fan
A fan will use significantly less electricity than the air conditioning unit and it can have a real impact on how cool you feel. The use of a fan will not only make you feel cool when it is blowing directly at you, but it will also help to create airflow. Adequate airflow can help to make a house feel cooler. A fan can also help the air conditioner to provide better cooling. With the added circulation that the fan will provide, the cool air from the air conditioner will move through the house more easily.
4. Managing the thermostat
Keeping the thermostat at a temperature that is comfortable without turning it down too low will reduce the cost of cooling the home. It is also important to keep the air conditioner turned off or at least down when you are away from the home. Leaving the air conditioner on when you are at work will have a noticeable impact on your utility bills. If you want to come home to a cool house, you might want to consider a programmable thermostat. The homeowner can manage the settings so that the air conditioner is turned off for most of the time when they are away and set it to resume function shortly before they come home. Having a programmable thermostat can also save the homeowner money during the winter, so it is worth considering.
5. Switch to light bulbs that have a lower operating temperature
Switching from traditional incandescent light bulbs to lamps that produce less heat can also bring down the indoor air temperature. Using bulbs like compact fluorescents or LEDs will reduce the amount of heat that is produced in the process of lighting the home. Not only will these bulbs help to lower the temperature in the home, but they are also better on energy efficiency. With a better energy efficiency rating and a longer operating life, the use of compact fluorescents or LED lights can save you money while cooling the home.
When it comes to decreasing the cost of cooling the home, there are many steps that can be taken. From changing some of the products that we use to making slight lifestyle adjustments, the savings are there to be had. Managing your home cooling efficiently and trying to reduce some of the sources of heat in the home will help to reduce your home energy bills even on the hottest days.