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How To Reduce Cooling Costs This Summer


Flip-flops, barbecues, vacations... sounds like Summer!  With warmer weather moving in and the last vestiges of a harsh winter behind us, it won't be long until the hot sun starts to make things uncomfortable.  Sometimes the heat can become so unbearable that it seems like we are just running our air conditioning units non-stop.  And while that may keep us calm  and cool, it doesn't help our wallets much.

Here are a few quick tips to help reduce the cost of running your a/c unit this summer.  You'd be surprised at how easy most of them are to implement and how cost-efficient they truly are.

Fans Are The Boss
Ceiling fans and even portable fans can work wonders on your electric bill by not needing to run the a/c that much and saving you nearly 40%.  It's important to remember that fans don't actually cool the air, they just make it FEEL cooler because the moving air is pulling heat away from your body.  Working in tandem with the air conditioning, fans can push the cold air down and circulate around the space better to increase the efficiency of your home cooling.  Just make sure that your ceiling fan blades are angled to be able to push air down on you and that portable fans are placed strategically to help the cooled air flow throughout the room.  This helps the a/c units run less and can save you money.  Turn off fans when not at home or in rooms which nobody is using.

Cross-Ventilation
Similar to the fans suggestion, try to open your windows at night to cross-ventilate the house and circulate the air.  The fresh, cool air from outside can replace the overheated indoor air and cool the house down.  This may not be a feasible option if you are in the middle of a muggy, humid, windless evening but on nights when you can, this can be a boon towards better air quality and reducing the amount of time you need to run the a/c unit.

HVAC Pro Tip 8

 Shade
On sunny summer days, it is best to keep your drapes, shades or blinds closed to prevent heat from accumulating inside.  You can stop as much as 45% of heat gain by simply keeping your shades drawn.  Also remember that the lighter the hue of the shade, the better it can deflect the sun's rays.  You might also want to consider planting trees and bushes in front of windows that tend to get the most sunlight.  The leaves of these plants will absorb heat better than your walls and roof, which have a tendency to radiate warmth.

Programmable Thermostat
If you don't have one, you should definitely be investing in one.  Programmable thermostats run under $100 and can save you big on your energy bills.  You can save huge on energy and money by not running the air conditioning unit when you aren't home.  Whether at work, the store or going on vacation, shut the air conditioner off or raise the temperature on the thermostat.  If you are able to, do not run air conditioning in rooms that no one is using.  This just wastes energy.  A programmable thermostat is also a benefit because you can set it based on your schedule and it will adjust automatically.  This way if you forget to turn it off or raise the temp before you leave, it's already taken care of.

Reduce Heat Sources
A big way in which you can help your a/c unit run better is by reducing heat sources inside the home.  Try not to use your stove top or oven because they produce crazy amounts of heat.  Instead, grill outdoors or try eating more chilled dishes.  Even the microwave is a better option than the stove.  You can also hand wash and air dry your dishes to reduce heat streaming from the dishwasher.  Dryers are another big culprit of massive heat pockets so consider hanging your clothes on a clothesline or waiting until the temps get cooler to run the appliance. Reducing the heat created indoors will help your a/c unit run less and lower your energy bills.



Check Up Time

The biggest help you can give your air conditioning unit in the summer months is a check up.  Before the temps increase drastically, have your reliable HVAC professional take a look at your unit and make sure it's running properly and tuned up.  It will save you from a major hassle down the road if your a/c unit goes kaput on a scorching day.  Better safe than sorry!


By implementing even a couple of these tips, you can lower your energy bill and keep your air conditioning unit from having to work overtime and risking it breaking down.  Use your best judgement and spend your summer relaxing, not stressing out over the price tag on that cooled air.





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