How to Reduce Your Air Conditioning Bills

So, what’s it going to be this summer: Keep the AC off to save money on electricity or run your system full bore so you don’t miss a minute’s worth of comfort? Happily, life doesn’t always present us with such extreme choices – usually, there are points in between that help you strike the proper balance. As such, now you can enjoy maximum comfort without having to pawn your jewelry to afford the inevitable summertime increase in electricity. Here are some ways to keep your costs down.

Don’t let the cool air escape. Older homes offer conditioned air abundant opportunity to escape through poor insulation, gaps in window caulking, old windows, and so on. To see how well your home is holding in cool air, consider getting a professional energy audit. Or simply make repairs where you can, including replacing the weather stripping around doors.

Add one or more new zones. If your home is controlled by a single thermostat, you are no doubt over-paying for air conditioning. With at least one extra zone, you can regulate temperatures one area at a time to save money where less cool air is needed.

Is your thermostat on the right wall? Thermostat placement can play a big role in how well your air conditioner performs. If it’s on a wall near a window that gets direct sun, your AC system will start more frequently than it needs to.

Close the blinds. A sun-facing window does more than heat up the thermostat – it heats you, too. So, close your window treatments – especially those facing east or south – during the daytime and open them back up after the sun goes down.

Use a fan. Cool air falls and warm air rises, right? So, during the summer, run one or more ceiling fans counterclockwise to draw more cool air upwards, thus cutting back on the amount you need from your AC system.

Raise your comfort threshold. Always set your thermostat to the highest temperature you can comfortably handle to reduce your utility costs. You can save 10% a year by setting your thermostat just 10 to 15 degrees higher for eight hours each day.

Bob Boldt HVAC also, can help reduce utility costs and help prevent costly repairs with annual AC system maintenance. Our service can even extend the life of your equipment. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a service.