When the temperature goes up, so do energy bills, water bills and a host of other home-related costs.
Here are a few tips on how to stretch your household budget this summer and still stay cool.
Use ceiling fans.
Delay turning on the A/C, instead get the air moving with the ceiling fan. If its a cool summer evening you can also leave your windows open.
Make sure you have the blades spinning in the right direction though! In the summer, your ceiling fan should spin counterclockwise as you look up at the fan blades. You will feel a cool downward airflow when you stand directly under the fan. In the winter, your ceiling fan should spin in a clockwise direction. Check your owner's manual for how to switch the direction on your fans.
Invest in a programmable thermostat.
Want an easy, low cost way to cut your energy bills? Program your thermostat.
How does a programmable thermostat help? It prevents large temperature swings throughout your home. This could save you up to 10 percent on your cooling bills.
A homeowner can save as much as $150 - or even more - on air conditioning bills by setting a thermostat.
Upgrade your old air conditioner.
Does your old air conditioner have an EER energy efficiency of 5? You can cut costs in half by replacing it with a new one with an EER of 10.
So do a simple calculation: If your average annual bill is $260, your bill would become $130.
Depending on the size of the unit and room, your annual savings will pay for the unit in just a few years.
Have you thought about filters?
Air conditioners are more efficient, less costly, and last longer when you replace or clean their filters on a regular basis. Read your owners' manual to find out how often you should replace or clean filters.
Unplug electronics when they're not in use.
Even when you turn electronics off, they can suck power out of outlets. (For example, television sets, DVD players, computers and phone chargers.) Either unplug them when you're done using them or use a Smart Strip (which cuts power when it's not needed).
One last tip: using overhead fans, especially at night, is more cost effective than turning down the thermostat.
