I’ve talked about lowering your energy bill before. Your AC accounts for about 60% of your energy costs during the summer, however, so I thought I’d spend a bit of time talking specifically about your AC bill and how to lower it.
First, let’s talk about where you set your thermostat. You can set it anywhere you want, but every degree makes a 7% difference in your bill energy use. So if you want to reduce your energy use by 14%, raise your temperature by 2 degrees.
However, there are a few other ways to save money.
Watch Your Vents
Vents need to be clean, clear, and open if you want them to do their job. We’ve already talked about changing your AC filter and how important that is. But vents can be blocked in other ways, too.
For example, sometimes people place furniture over air vents. And sometimes people just leave them closed without thinking about it. If your vents are closed they can’t get the cold air to you, so check them.
Keep a Cool Home
Obviously, anything you can do to make the interior of your home cooler without relying on your AC will reduce the amount of energy that your AC has to use to keep you comfortable.
So think about adding heavy shades to your windows to block out the sunlight, or updating the insulation in your attic.
You should also think about using your stove less, perhaps in favor of your microwave. And if you dry your clothes at night, when it’s cooler outside, you won’t heat up the house as much.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Using a programmable thermostat will help you keep the temperature in your home far more stable. It will also help you use energy less when you need it less, such as when you are at work, or asleep.
Older thermostats also make it very hard to control the temperature in your home. They aren’t always accurate when they read your home’s temperature and the slider dial makes it difficult to set the temperature you truly want.
Use Ceiling Fans
In a previous post I talked about how ceiling fans can save money on heating and cooling alike. Just make sure that those fans are rotating in the proper direction to achieve the effect that you want.
Maintenance Your AC
How well your AC is actually working will be the biggest determinant in whether or not you pay too much to cool your home. Get your AC fixed if there are serious problems.
The amount that you spend repairing your AC should pay or itself when you start to see a reduction in your electric bill!
If your AC isn’t working properly and you live in the Raleigh-Durham area, call The House Doctors! We have HVAC technicians on staff and we’re ready to help you solve your cooling problems. Call today for a free estimate.