7 Sure-Fire Strategies to Lower Summer Energy Bills

Summer is in full swing, which means that homeowners across America are kicking their air conditioning units into high gear. It’s no secret that air conditioning contributes to a significant rise in you energy bill.

If you dread the idea of having to pay an astronomical energy bill this summer, but you also dread the idea of sweating through the blistering heat, there’s good news for you. Here are seven strategies that, when put into effect, will help to keep your home cooler and keep your energy bill down during the summer months.

1. Make Use of a Programmable Thermostat. A programmable thermostat will allow you to keep better control of how your air conditioner runs. For example, when you aren’t home, set the thermostat so that the AC runs at a higher temperature. After all, when you aren’t home, there really isn’t much sense in keeping your house super cool (though you definitely don’t want to turn it off when you’re not home.) This simple tip could help to significantly lower your summer utility bills.
2. Use a fan in coordination with your air conditioner. A fan will help to circulate the cool air that your air conditioner is generating. As a result, you’ll avoid cold spots and hot spots in your home, which means your entire home will be pleasantly comfortable.
3. Keep your system maintained. Routine maintenance is essential for ensuring that your air conditioner is working properly. If it isn’t, it will use more energy to cool things off. Maintaining your system includes cleaning or replacing filters, cleaning out the condenser coils and plants should be trimmed so that they are not in the way of the unit.
4. Avoid doing activities that cause heat to build up. When the temperature outside is higher than the temperature inside your home, don’t do anything that will cause the temperature inside to rise, such as cooking or running the clothes dryer. The more heat there is in your house, the harder your air conditioner is going to have to work. Instead, try to grill out more often and let your clothes air dry.
5. Keep the light out. During the heat of the day, draw the curtains, shades and blinds. Doing so will prevent the hot sun and the hot temperatures from penetrating through your windows, thus keeping your home cooler and reducing your energy consumption.
6. Plant foliage around your house. By planting trees and shrubs near your house, you can significantly reduce the amount of sun that shines through the windows and reduce the need for air conditioning.
7. Install a whole-house fan. This could result in your biggest savings yet. According to the Daily Herald, whole house fans use up to 20 percent as much electricity as their central air counterparts. Some people experience a drop in air conditioning usage of up to 90 percent. These fans exhaust hot air out of your house and circulate the cool air inside. As a result, you won’t need to rely on your AC unit as much and you will have a lower energy bill.

By putting these strategies into practice, you will be able to enjoy a more comfortable house and lower energy bills this summer.