As summer approaches and temperatures rise, so does the cost of cooling your home. Even the most efficient air conditioning system can cost a pretty penny to keep running on days when temperatures reach the 90 or 100 degree mark. Before you get sticker shock from opening your energy bill, consider these tips to keep your cooling costs as low as possible.
- Heat producing appliances. It is bad enough that the air outside is hot; don’t make the situation worse by adding unnecessary heat indoors. Many appliances create heat when in use, including computers and stoves. If it’s not necessary, keep these appliances turned off or unplugged.
- Programmable thermostat. One of the biggest contributors to high cooling costs is cooling your home when you are not home or your family is sleeping. A programmable thermostat can help you automatically set your air conditioning to turn off when it is not needed. Talk to your HVAC service company about installing a programmable thermostat if you do not have one.
- Cooking. On the hottest days, consider cooking meals on an outdoor grill or buying take-out foods for dinner. Turning on your stove or oven on a hot day puts extra strain on your cooling system.
- Keep shutters and curtains closed. In the mornings, close all your curtains and shutters on your windows and glass doors to insulate your home from the heat outside. Consider purchasing drapes which are specifically designed for insulating purposes.
- Keep your air conditioning system maintained. Having annual HVAC maintenance performed on your air conditioning unit can ensure that it is working efficiently as possible.
Hopefully using these tips will help keep your cooling costs to a reasonable level this summer. If you have not already done so, schedule your annual air conditioning maintenance now to avoid breakdowns and additional costs during the hottest months ahead.
Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC
