Are you looking to beat the heat and hold on to more of your hard-earned cash? We’ve got you covered! The following tips can reduce your electric use and lower your monthly energy bill.
Change dirty air filters. Dirty filters make your HVAC unit work up to 15% harder. That means it uses more energy to get results. And using more energy means a higher bill! Ditch the dirty filter and swap it for a fresh, clean one each month. Cheap filters work just as well as the more expensive kind. Your unit (and your monthly bill) will thank you!
Set your thermostat to 78°F. For every degree above 78°, you’ll save 3-5% on cooling costs. The reverse is also true, so for every degree below 78°, your bill will increase by 3-5%.
Use a ceiling fan along with your AC. A fan can make you feel 4° cooler and costs only pennies to operate. But remember: Ceiling fans cool people, not rooms. Turn them off when you’re not in the room.
Close the window shades. Blocking the sun is a simple way to cool your home, especially during the hottest times of the day.
Check the weather stripping around your doors and windows. Try the dollar test. Close a door or window on a dollar bill and try to pull it loose. If it slides out easily, you need to replace your weatherstripping. A 1/8-inch gap around a door or window lets out the same amount of air as a 2 1/2-inch hole in your wall. Yikes! Keep the cool air inside your home!
Get your central AC system checked by a professional once a year. An improperly running unit can bump up your monthly bill.
These tips only touch the surface. For a full spectrum of ideas on using less energy—and reducing the risk of getting scorched by a high electric bill, visit energy.gov/save.