Summer is upon us! Anyone feeling the heat? Time to turn up the air-conditioning — but not the AC bill. With these super hot days comes the need for cooler homes, for comfort, but also for your health and safety. At the same time, you don’t want to break the bank to avoid breaking a sweat.
Here are 10 of PowerTech’s best tips for cooling home without sending your AC bill into the stratosphere.
10 Ways to Lower Air Conditioning Costs This Summer
Here are a few of PowerTech’s the most effective ways to cool your home without seeing your AC bill skyrocket.
- Be sure to check your air conditioning unit and make sure you regularly replace any filters. Dirty filters can increase energy usage and reduce the effectiveness of the unit.
- Check the thermostat. Raise the thermostat by two degrees, and not to an unsafe level. Most utility companies recommend your thermostat staying set on 74 to 78 degrees when you are home. Don’t get the house too warm though, so use common sense.
- Turn on a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan can significantly impact your home’s temperature. Run a ceiling fan counterclockwise, so you can create an effective downdraft. Be sure to turn the fan off when you leave that room.
- Put off tasks that produce heat whenever you can. Postpone dishwashing, baking, or doing laundry until the early morning or night hours, when the temperatures are cooler. Order takeout!
- Turn off any unused appliances and unplug appliances that are not in use. This goes for your TV, computers, your phone charger, and any lights. Keeping this plugged up adds to the bill.
- Seal gaps around doors and windows. Be sure to close any shades or blinds during the daylight hours to prevent the sun from heating your home. When your home gets hotter, your air conditioning unit must work harder to cool the space.
- Shut any doors to rooms you are not using. You want to keep the space you are cooling relatively small. Block off areas so you are not cooling more than you must cool, and so you are not wasting energy.
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Limit caffeine and alcohol intake as they promote dehydration. Staying hydrated keeps you cooler and improves your health.
- Use fans. Fans don’t gobble up as much electricity to use and they help spread air around to keep your home cool and comfortable.
- Have your air conditioner serviced regularly. Lots of outside stuff can get into your cooling system and keep it from working properly – anyone with a cottonwood tree in their yard gets it! Units age and undergo wear and tear, just like your house does. Have a pro check out your AC unit so it’s working properly at all times.
If you are serious about keeping your home cool while reducing energy use, enlist the help of a licensed professional. An assessment of your home can provide you with the guidance you need for effective cooling and lower energy bills. At PowerTech, we have a team of knowledgeable technicians who have extensive training and experience when it comes to energy efficiency and reducing utility expenses.
About PowerTech
PowerTech has the power to provide all of your residential electrician and commercial electrical needs, whether it’s a home remodel or repair, an electrical issue at your business, a generator service or purchase, or emergency electrical help. Let us show you why we are the top choice for service in Council Bluffs, Omaha, and beyond.
Ready to get started? Give us a call at 712.256.8702. You also can fill out our contact form and a representative will contact you as soon as possible.
