5 Tips to Cut Air Conditioning Costs This Summer

Keeping your home cool throughout the summer months can be very expensive if you aren’t careful. Even if your home is relatively new, you should constantly be on the lookout for new ways to improve the efficiency of your air conditioning system. A few simple tweaks and upgrades could end up saving you hundreds on your energy bills in the coming months.

Make Sure That Your Windows Are Covered

When sunlight hits your windows, the temperature inside your home could skyrocket. That is why you need to make sure that your windows are protected from direct sunlight. In addition to putting up thick drapes and blinds, you might also want to plant trees and bushes that are going to shade all of your windows.

Use Cross Ventilation

Strategically using your windows and ceiling fans could reduce your cooling costs by a substantial amount. As soon as the sun sets, you should turn your fans on and open up a few windows to create a breeze. You also need to make sure that your fans are spinning counterclockwise to push the cool air down.

Cook Outside

As soon as you turn your stoves and burners on, your kitchen is going to become unbearably hot. Instead of heating up your home with that cooking equipment, you might want to grill your food outside. Setting up a small outdoor kitchen could make the inside of your home much more pleasant during the summer.

Have the AC Serviced

Well before the first heat wave of the year, you need to have your air conditioner serviced. Even though modern air conditioners are very durable, those devices still require quite a bit of maintenance. During an air conditioning service call, an HVAC contractor can inspect the entire cooling system for any signs of damage and make sure that the thermostat is accurate.

Regularly Change the Filters

When you are constantly using your air conditioner, you might need to change the air filters as often as once every three or four weeks. Those filters remove unwanted contaminants from the air, and they can quickly become clogged during the warm summer months. A clogged air filter will put unnecessary strain on the HVAC system’s blower, and that will greatly reduce its lifespan.

If you have tried these few tips and your energy bills are still spiraling out of control, then you might want to contact your electric company and ask about an equal payment plan. When you sign up for one of those plans, the electric company will evenly split your energy bills across all 12 months.

Addy Reeds is a freelance writer from Eugene, Oregon. She discovered her passion for journalism while attending the University of Oregon. Follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @addyreeds1; https://www.facebook.com/addy.reeds