Heating And Air Conditioning - How To Save On Your Summer Energy Bills

 Want to lower your heating and air conditioning bills? This article presents some very easy things you can do in the summer months to save on energy consumption while also staying cool.

Everybody wants to save money on their heating and air conditioning bills, but can you handle a summer without AC? Most people can't. There's nothing worse than sweating your way through scorching temperatures all summer long. But it's a fact that energy costs have gone up in recent years. Here are some things you can do to economize and still stay cool.

Cut Down On Central AC

You might be surprised to find out that in a typical American home, the energy cost of running your AC continuously is equal to just about all of your home's other energy needs? A central AC uses something like 3500 watt-hours per hour of use. Compare that with a window unit, which uses around 1000 watts but as little as 500. Ceiling fans and floor fans use even less electricity. So, this summer, why not cut down on using your central AC and make use of window units and fans? You'll see major savings each month.

Keep It Running Well

Your heating and air conditioning unit needs regular maintenance. A major part of this is removing and cleaning the filter. Experts say that a significant percentage of your AC's energy use may be wasted because of dirty filters. During the summer months when you're using it often, clean the filters every month. You should also hire a professional HVAC contractor to inspect your unit in the spring before you start using it.

Turn It Off

You can also save a lot by being more mindful about using your AC. If you're gone, turn it down or turn it off. Many units these days have timers, so set it to come on when you get back. In many areas, the temperature cools down significantly at night, so open windows and turn on fans. Even running your fans all night long is more energy-efficient than keeping the AC on.

Check Your Windows

You should also inspect your windows well at the beginning of each cooling season. When windows are improperly sealed, this allows the coolness to escape and you end up running your AC harder. You should also check your insulation, especially in basements and attics, and check for any areas where air may be escaping from your home.

Turn It Down

Finally, try turning it down a few degrees. If you've just come in from exercising, you might want to blast your AC so that you can cool down faster. But when you're using it on a daily basis, keep it a few degrees higher. Only crank it when you really need to cool down.

Heating and air conditioning costs can be outrageous. During the summer months, this is a significant portion of your utility bill. Make a few simple changes, and you can save big.

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