As the summer temperatures continue to rise, so does your anxiety when it comes to air conditioning and electric bills. The easy solution for cooling off is cranking the A/C, but by following these simple guidelines you can be comfortable without having to break the bank.

How to Save Money on Your Air Conditioning Bill

• Running your fans counter clockwise during the summer will circulate cool air. Modern fans typically have a switch on the side to change the direction. Fans cool people, not rooms. So when you leave the room, remember to turn it off, as you will only be wasting energy if you leave it on.

• Because stoves and ovens produce a great amount of heat throughout the house, try grilling outside or whipping up a chilled salad. If you must cook hot foods, do so at night when the temperatures drop.

• According to FamilyHandyman, about 30% of your home’s unwanted heat comes through your windows! Using curtains or blinds to block sunlight will help cool your house down. White drapes and curtains work best in summer to reflect the sun’s heat rays away from your home. Consider installing awnings or planting trees and shrubbery on the east and west side of your home to allow for more shade. The main thing is to shield your home from the sun’s visible and UV rays which can make your air conditioner work up to 3 times harder.

• Turn off any lights you aren’t using – especially incandescent lights, which also emit a great amount of heat. Consider replacing your incandescent light bulbs with cooler light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or compact fluorescents (CFLs).

• Unplug any electronics not being used. It’s tempting to leave computers and consoles on for easier startups, but turn them off if you want a cooler home.

• Make sure your thermostat is level and away from heat sources, such as direct sunlight, heat-producing appliances, and light sources. Your thermostat will register an incorrect temperature reading, allowing your air conditioner to run longer than it needs to. Read this blog to troubleshoot thermostat problems.

• Unplug any electronics not being used. It’s tempting to leave computers and consoles on for easier startups, but turn them off if you want a cooler home.

Looking for more tips and tricks to save on your air conditioning bill?

How to Cut Air Conditioning Costs and Save Money

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