Simple Ways to Save Money on Your Air Conditioning

1. Try hard not to use your dryer. Line dry if possible. If it’s not an option, wait until later on in the evening to use the dryer. You know the dryer really does heat up the house and causes your a/c to work harder. Drying outside will save you the power of running the dryer on top of keeping your house cooler

2. If you have a fireplace, make sure that the flue is closed. Yup, that precious cold air can escape

3. Use CFL light bulbs. Yes light bulbs do create heat. CFLs create less heat PLUS they cost less to power so you’re saving even more on your power bill

4. Keep appliances away from the thermostat. This goes for winter and summer. Heat from appliances will cause the a/c to work harder if the thermostat is getting the illusion that the house is hotter.

5. Try not to use your oven or use it sparingly. Try crock pot meals, grilling outside, a toaster oven or your microwave. Less heat is produced this way.

6. Install a programmable thermostat. We love ours! I purchased it at Home Depot for $30. I have more than made my money back. We program it to turn the a/c off at 12am after we’re asleep and it stays off until 5pm. The house will start cooling down prior to us coming home from work.

7. Use ceiling fans. These can significantly help reduced the heat by circulating the cold air.

8. Get yearly maintenance and change the filter regularly. An “un-healthy” a/c unit will rob you blind. Make sure you take care of it to ensure it runs effienctly and catch problems before they become huge problems

9. If you’re not in a room, make sure the blinds and curtains (if applicable) are closed. Sunlight can bring heat as well.

10. If you have spare rooms you don’t ever use, close the vents. That way the unit isn’t working as hard to cool more square footage.

11. While you’re at it, use power strips. Plug all of your grouped appliances into power strips and turn the strip off when not in use. That way your not wasting phantom power.