5 Ways To Cut Your Cooling Costs This Summer

Digital concept of saving with money symbol in light bulb isolated on white.
Digital concept of saving with money symbol in light bulb isolated on white.

All of us are always looking for ways of staying comfortable in summer without running up high utility bills. Here are a few simple steps you can follow to help in your quest for lower utility bills.

AC Maintenance

Always ensure your AC is maintained well. Call your trusted service company to come and inspect the unit thoroughly before summer sets in. In addition to cleaning the filters, he will look for issues in the unit and fix anything that may lead to a problem down the road. Even if you don’t have a maintenance plan and pay for the visit, this will go a long way in keeping your energy bills down. Remember, there is nothing better than a well maintained AC/HVAC unit to cut your cooling costs.

Set Your Thermostat Prudently

When we return from office or from a jog, we usually need a cool room to relax and recoup our energy. What most of us do is to set the room’s thermostat at a very low level. When the difference between the outside temperature and the temperature we set is too high, we are forcing the AC to work more to reach the low temperature inside. It is a known fact that each 1 degree can cut your AC costs by 1%. One of the best ways of doing this is to use a programmable thermostat.

Use Fans

If you raise your thermostat setting by fours degrees and use a fan, you will get the same level of comfort. The Energy Department has a set of recommendations for using fans. Read them, understand them, and use them to your advantage.

Use Shades and Windows

Use dark shades to keep the heat out. If you have large glass panes on your window, install tinted or low-e window films on them. They are easy to install and can cut up to 10% on your energy bills. Keep your windows as closed as possible. A closed window can keep out moisture and help in reducing cooling costs. If you have a very sunny window, use a solar shade. Solar shades keep out UV rays, cut glare, and reduce heat gain by up to 75% inside the room.

Grow More Trees and Plants

Though this is long term, having good foliage around your home has a positive effect on your cooling costs. Thick foliage around the house cools the immediate surroundings and your AC has to work that much less. Growing plants also increases the creation of oxygen and this has a positive effect on your health. Look for tall trees if you have a two story house. Use thick shrubs near your windows to help keep the heat off.

These are just some of the many ways you can cut your cooling costs. Call Aliso Air today for professional advice on cooling costs and understand how to manage them well.