With gas prices skyrocketing and grocery bills increasing the cost of comfortable living is quickly becoming seemingly unaffordable. You may think turning on the AC during the summer months will only get you closer to bankruptcy, but there are some easy ways to lower your AC bill and save you money. You don’t have to spend your summer nights sleepless and sticking to the sweaty bed sheets, just follow these steps without breaking a sweat.
Top 5 Ways to Lower your AC Cost this Summer
1. Close Lower Air Vents
There’s a reason our basements always seem chilly and our attics stay stiflingly hot. Hot air rises and gets trapped in the highest rooms in our homes while cool air sinks. To curve this temperature difference and stop our AC’s from working overtime, simply close the air vents to the lower parts of the house. Since the basement cools itself naturally, closing the vents will send the air conditioning to the warm rooms where it’s needed. Closing basement vents will balance the air temperature in your home without spending extra money on AC bills.
2. Use Fans to Circulate Air
You know air that’s left alone will naturally separate as cold air sinks and hot air rises but what if you could stop the process altogether by mixing the two. A simple desk fan or even better- a ceiling fan will help circulate the air in your home. Properly circulated air will remain at a comfortable temperature longer putting less strain on your AC and saving you money on your power bills.
3. Clean AC Filters
A well-maintained filter in your AC is crucial to lowering electricity bills. The more clogged an air filter is the harder it is for air to pass through, this results in air conditioner units having to work extra hard to move air around your home. Replacing or cleaning your AC filters regularly (every few weeks in summer) will help clean cold air circulate restriction free, using less power and saving you money.
4. Preventative HVAC Maintenance
The best way to keep your AC from breaking down mid-heatwave leading to costly repairs and replacements is to be proactive with AC maintenance. Schedule an appointment at the start of summer for a technician to clean and service your unit will ensure its performing optimally. The most efficient AC is a well serviced one, while services costs money upfront it will save you money in the long run helping reduce your electricity bills for years to come.
5. Install a Programmable Thermostat
The final and possibly biggest money saver on your AC costs is investing in a programmable thermostat. There is no need to cool your homes air while you are not there, or continue to move cold air when the temperature indoors is already low. Programmable thermostats solve all these issues and more with the latest models offering control via your smartphone. The best part, programmable thermostats pay for themselves in as little as one summer by drastically reducing the AC output saving you bundles on your utility bills.
Now your Air Conditioning Unit is Ready for Summer!
Say goodbye to opening every window in your house, praying for a cross wind to come cool you down during sweaty summer nights. Using these five tips it’s possible to use your AC without leaving you in financial ruin. Give us a call at 403-679-1983 or book a service call to make sure your AC is running at its most efficient so you can stay cool and save this summer.