As the summer heats up, your energy bill is likely to go up. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to cut your AC costs without sacrificing comfort.
Air leaks can be the biggest culprit when it comes to your energy bills. Consider getting a home energy audit to seal up the leaking spots around your windows, doors and attic.
1. Turn Off Appliances and Lights When Not in Use
Leaving appliances and lights running is an easy way to increase your electricity usage – and your air conditioner bill. Turning off the television, computers, printers and other devices that generate heat or use a lot of electricity when not in use is one of the most effective ways to cut down on energy usage.
Another easy trick to save money is to replace traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs. These bulbs require less electricity and emit little to no heat. They can be expensive to purchase initially, but they will pay for themselves in a short amount of time.
Closing the doors to unused rooms is another great way to prevent energy loss and keep your house cool. It’s also a good idea to insulate your windows and doors and check for leaks. A simple test with a piece of toilet paper can reveal possible gaps or cracks around the frames. Sealing these gaps with weather stripping or foam insulation can help reduce your energy bills.
If you have to run household appliances that produce heat such as the oven or dryer, make a habit of doing them early in the morning or after the sun goes down. This will allow your home to cool down naturally and give your air conditioner a break.
Similarly, making it a habit to turn off ceiling fans in the winter can help you cut your costs. Changing the rotation to counter-clockwise can bring warm air that has risen up through the ceiling back down into living areas, US News reports. This can significantly reduce your heating bills, too.
2. Keep Windows and Doors Closed
Keeping your windows, blinds and drapes closed will prevent the sun’s rays from penetrating into your home. This will make your air conditioning unit not have to work so hard to maintain the cool temperature you want.
Another way to block the sun is to paint your home with light, cool colors. These types of paints reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it.
You can also plant a few trees around your house to add some natural shade, which will help reduce your cooling costs as well. This is one of the most simple tips and is very easy to do.
Adding window coverings will also keep the sun out and save you money on energy bills, especially if they are tinted. Using dark curtains or drapes will further reduce heat absorption and help your air conditioner not have to run so hard.
Keep in mind that fans are not a substitute for air conditioning, they simply move the existing cooled air around, which doesn’t lower the actual temperature of the room. If you really need to use a fan, only have it in rooms that people are occupying and turn it off when you leave the room.
If you have an old air conditioner that is not working properly, replacing it with a newer, more efficient model could save you some money on your electricity bills. You may also be able to find rebates and tax credits that can help with the cost of upgrading your current system.
You can also do other things to cut down on your electric bills, such as sealing gaps and cracks in your house, installing a programmable thermostat and cleaning your evaporator coil. Also, keep your thermostat out of direct sunlight and away from exhaust equipment such as a fireplace or clothes dryer.
3. Keep Your Air Conditioner On During the Day and Off at Night
The biggest energy-saving tip is to leave your air conditioner on during the day and off at night. This saves money and keeps the temperature in your house a little higher than you might think, as it takes more energy to cool down a warmer home than a cooler one. If you want to turn your AC off while you’re out, be sure to close the windows before going to sleep and have a timer set to turn it back on about an hour before you get home, or use a smart thermostat to do this remotely with a smartphone app.
Keeping your air conditioner on at night is also a good idea if it’s humid outside because it helps to keep the humidity in your home low, which prevents mold and mildews from developing. If you want to avoid turning your AC on at night, consider using a fan instead and closing the windows as the sun goes down and the heat begins to cool your home.
However, if you’re leaving for more than two days and your house will be unoccupied, it is better to shut the air conditioner off completely. This allows your home to cool down to a normal temperature before you go away, so it will take less energy to return to the desired temperature when you come home again. This will not only help you save money but it may also prevent any unpleasant surprises on your next energy bill! It’s important to find a happy medium that balances the needs of your family with the goals of energy conservation.
4. Turn Your Thermostat Up a Few Degrees
It’s a fact that no one’s comfort preferences are exactly the same. But adjusting your thermostat settings, manually or with a programmable model, can save you money.
The Department of Energy recommends a summer temperature setting of about 78 degrees. If you keep the thermostat set this high during the day, when cooling is needed most, and lower it at night when you are sleeping or away from home, you can trim up to 10% off your energy costs.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is dropping their thermostat down to a very low level once they are at work or school, only to find that they feel too cold when they get home. Dropping the temperature like this does not cool your house any faster and can lead to higher energy bills.
If you or your family members have difficulty adjusting to a cooler temperature, ease into it by raising the setting one degree at a time over the course of a week, advises energy provider Direct Energy. This will allow everyone to acclimate gradually and help you cut back on your energy bill. You should also make sure nothing is blocking your air vents, as this can impact how quickly the thermostat reaches your desired temperature setting.
Finally, if your thermostat is close to lamps or televisions that generate heat, consider moving them further from the thermostat, advises Family Handyman. The lights will absorb the thermostat’s heat and can cause it to read a higher temperature setting than is actually required. It is also a good idea to replace light bulbs with LEDs, as they use significantly less energy than traditional models.
5. Change Your Light Bulbs
One of the easiest ways to save on your energy bills is by changing out old light bulbs with new, more efficient models. Quality LED bulbs use 75 percent less energy than traditional incandescents and can last 25 times longer. You can even find ones with a built-in timer and dimmers to help further cut down your energy usage.
If you’re thinking of changing your light bulbs, it’s important to take safety into account. Make sure the power to the fixture is turned off first. A good rule of thumb is to check the fuse box’s big red power button is set to “off.” Next, give your bulb a few minutes to cool down before you touch it. If you’re changing a light fixture that’s high up, consider using a ladder instead of precariously balancing yourself on a chair or another object that isn’t meant to hold your weight.
Once the bulb is cool enough to handle, remove the old one from its socket and carefully fit the replacement. If the fixture has a dome, push it upward to expose its base. Then, depending on the type of bulb and fitting, either gently press it into place or, if you’re working with a fluorescent tube, twist it clockwise until it snaps into place.
Once the new bulb is in, turn on your light switch to restore the power and test it. If everything went well, you’re ready to start saving on your energy bill with just a simple change.
