When you’re inside cranking your air conditioner this summer to stay cool, it could result in a sky-high electric bill. In an effort to stay cool while protecting your wallet, here are a few things that you can do to cut costs while using your AC this summer:
Use a Fan
During the days and nights that aren’t extremely hot, you don’t need to keep your AC on full power. A fan may not be able to cool down an entire area like an air conditioner can, but it can bring down the immediate temperature with a wind chill factor. Some fans are portable, so they can provide you with cool comfort from room to room. Ceiling fans are also a great way to cool down your home because they disperse air evenly throughout a room. Just like your AC, you should turn off your fans when they aren’t needed. This helps to prevent energy loss.
Use Your AC Only When Needed
You don’t need to keep your AC at the lowest temperature to stay comfortable. By keeping it set to a slightly higher temperature, you can save big time on your electric bill. You should also have it turned off when you’re not home. Unless you have loved ones or pets that stay home and need to keep cool, there isn’t really any reason to keep it on. Most models can cool your room or home down very quickly so they don’t need to stay on all day. Programmable thermostats can make this easier for you – they can lower temperatures or turn off your cooling system when you need them to.
Keep Curtains Closed
Closing your curtains, blinds, or shades during periods of direct sunlight can make a drastic difference in home cooling. Direct sunlight can quickly raise temperatures in your home – especially if your shades are open. Not only does closing them keep the heat out, it helps to trap the cool air inside. If the temperature is already lowered in your house, you won’t need to put as much stress on your AC. This will help you save money on your utilities.
Limit Heat Building Activities
When temperatures are scorching outdoors, you can help stay cool indoors by minimizing chores and activities that quickly cause the heat to build up. Using your oven or stove, running the dishwasher, drying clothes in the dryer – these are all heat generating activities. Instead, you can use the microwave or grill to cook or let your clothes dry outdoors. Finding alternatives for these routine activities will help you stay cool and comfortable indoors while cutting back on your electricity bill.
Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance!
The most important part in keeping your cooling system working properly is routine maintenance performed by a trained professional. This allows a technician to fully examine and service your entire system – from the outdoor unit to the ventilation system. If there are any issues or areas of concern, they will be fixed before they have time to escalate. Routine maintenance boosts energy efficiency, reliability, and give your AC a longer lifespan. It also helps you keep the air quality in your home safe! To schedule your tune-up, call McHales today!
How McHales Can Help
We want to guarantee that you and your family are able to stay cool and comfortable all summer long. To make sure that you do, we offer a wide range of AC services to make sure that your’s is working properly and efficiently. Our services include:
- Heat pump repair
- Compressor repair
- Freon recharge
- Air handler service
- Blower motor replacement
- A full system check of drain lines, evaporator coil, relays, capacitors, and fuses.
If your AC isn’t working at top speed, call McHales! We’re ready to help!