As the temperature exceeds triple digits in many locations this summer, our electric bills are spiraling upward with the heat index.
Except for a hardy few, going without air conditioning is probably not a practical cost-cutting measure. Still, there are ways to save energy and cut your electric bill.
Cutting costs on your electricity bill isn’t as hard as you might think. Here are a few tips that can help lower your AC bill to put more money back into your pocket.
We consulted the websites of Florida Power & Light and the U.S. Department of Energy for advice about how to save.
Consider a new window unit
If you don’t have central air, consider a new window unit. These have improved considerably in recent decades, and a modern window unit uses half the electricity of one from the 1970s, according to the U.S. Department of Energy website.
Look for an Energy Star-rated unit with an energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 10 or higher.
Watch your thermostat
Keep your thermostat at 78 degrees or above in summer.
I know — this can be a hard one for a lot of people — but it really does work on saving your bill.
The easy way to make this happen is if you go to work during the day, kick it up to that temperature before you leave. That way, you’re running less AC for the time that you’re not even home.
Turn off fans when you leave a room
Use ceiling fans to stay cooler, but turn the fans off when you leave the room.
Make it a habit that right when you walk into a room, you kick on the ceiling fan.
And also make sure that the blades are spinning the right way. You want the blades to be forcing the cooler air down to you, not pulling it up to the ceiling.
The fans don’t cool the room, just the inhabitants.
Check for air leaks
Seal air leaks around windows, doors and vents.
This is not only a good practice to do during the hot months but during the cooler ones as well.
If there is a crack or a seal, the air is going to leak out of the house. And also, the hot air is going to come in. This is like losing a battle daily because you can’t stop the air from coming in or out if it has a way to escape.
Refresh your filters
Change your air conditioning filter every month.
A clean air filter keeps your air conditioner in good shape so it can do a better job of running well and more efficiently.
Have you heard this tip before? Of course. But when was the last time you changed your air conditioning filter? This may be the summer to get serious.
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