Tips for Keeping Summer Cooling Costs Down

Yes, summer is on its way! With continually rising energy costs, here are some easy ways to keep those cooling costs down, without giving up the air conditioning on those hot evenings.

Plug up any holes. On those warm summer days, you don’t want to cool the neighborhood with your air conditioner. Foam and caulking can help seal problem areas, as well as extra insulation.  Lighten the load of your air conditioning unit by shutting the doors and vents of unused rooms in your home. Also, it will be easier for your air conditioner to maintain a cooler temperature in your home if you keep the shades and curtains on your windows closed to prevent the sun from shining in. This is especially important for those windows on the west side of your house, which would receive the sun during the hottest part of the day.

Keeping the filters clean on your air conditioning units will help them to work more efficiently.  Consider programming your thermostat to allow the temperature in your home to rise during the day if no one is home. Unplug all electronics that are not being used or use a Smart Strip that cuts power when it’s not needed. Electronics, turned off but plugged in, can still draw power from the outlets. Consider other means of cooking instead of turning on your oven, which heats up the rest of your house and overworks your air conditioner.  Taking cooler showers in the summertime will also save on costs over time.

Finally, bring in an air conditioning professional to service your HVAC system once a year and have them check for potential problems that could hinder efficiency (like mold or rusting). Your home may also benefit from an overall check by a professional energy auditor.