You may or may not have had to turn the air conditioning on just yet, but eventually, you’ll probably have to cave. It’s going to heat up, and you’re going to want to stay cool and comfortable without spending a fortune on the energy bill. Here are a few ways to save on those expensive AC costs this summer:
1. Set your thermostat to 78 or higher. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, your summer electricity use rises as much as 4 percent for each degree you set the thermostat below 78! Setting your house at 78 degrees will keep you cool and comfortable all summer long. But the higher you set it, the less your energy bill, so if you can stand it set it even higher.
2. Use a ceiling fan. It will make you feel as much as 8 degrees cooler, so you can turn down the AC a few degrees. According to Delmarva, central air conditioning, which two thirds of U.S. households have, uses as much as 70 times more energy to run than a ceiling fan. If you don’t have ceiling fans, buy a few standing ones; the air is still being circulated and will keep you feeling much cooler.
3. Add insulation in your attic. This is a big one! If you don’t have enough insulation, you may be losing up to 40 percent of your cool air through the ceiling and duct work. It’s worth the investment.
4. Replace or clean filters each month. Savings can reach up to 5 percent! Plus, you’ll breathe cleaner air.
5. Invest in some high-quality window treatments. On a typical home, windows account for nearly 50% of the heat gain or loss depending on the season. Energy-efficient shades will not only help keep the heat out during the summer, but they’ll provide insulation during the cold winter months as well.
6. Turn down the AC when you’re not home! Some people leave the air conditioner on while away because they think it will use more power to cool down a hot house, but it won’t. According to Delmarva, you’ll use less energy by pushing the thermostat up to 80 and cooling the house back down when you return.
