As the weather starts to warm up everywhere, you may be seeing a sudden and steep rise in your utility bills. Both air conditioning and heating in areas with extreme weather can cause your energy use to skyrocket, leaving you with a high utility bill that can sometimes be as much as a car payment! No one wants to overpay for electric bills, and fortunately, there are ways to lower your electric bill without noticing a drastic difference in your home.
Though you should always have a great HVAC company to install, service, and repair your HVAC system when it needs help, you don’t need to overuse or overwear your air conditioning system, as this will ultimately create those high energy bills. Here are some tips on how to cut your electric bill in half:
Air Ducts
Make sure you check your air ducts are clean and properly insulated. Any leaks, bad insulation, or floating dirt/debris in your air ducts could cause your HVAC system to overwork itself, leading to more energy use and high bills. You may also want to look into cleaning your air filters for the same issues, as this is another thing that could contribute to high utility bills.
Keep the Sun Out
Everyone loves natural sunlight in their home, but consider keeping it out as much as possible, especially during the summer. Letting sunlight into your home during the summer is a sure way to add extra heat into your home without even realizing it, which may in turn make you crank up your A/C. Consider investing in black-out curtains to keep out the sun, keeping your home cooler without spending too much money. You may also consider window tints, blinds, or shades.
Programmable Thermostat
Having a programmable thermostat is a fantastic way to save money on your electric bills, as they can turn on only when it gets too hot or too cold in your home. By setting it to a setting like this, you’ll save money by only using energy when your home needs it. For example, if it’s hot during the day but drops 30 degrees at night, you can program your thermostat to only have the A/C on during the day when you really need it.
Appliances
Appliances can use up a lot of energy, even when they’re not in use. You can definitely consider upgrading to energy-efficient appliances (this could also add value to your home!), but there are also some other tricks to using your appliances that could save money. Consider doing back-to-back loads of laundry so your dryer is already hot when you run several loads of laundry, or do it after 8 PM, as some companies offer discount rates at non-peak hours. You can also change settings so you’re only using cold water in your washing machine and dishwasher. For more easy tips on appliance use, click here.
Ceiling Fans
If you don’t already have them, definitely consider adding some ceiling fans into your home. This is an easy and inexpensive way to add some cool air to your home without turning on the A/C!
Trust Air Rescue with all your HVAC needs! Whether it’s HVAC repair, installation, replacement, or even just advice and consultation. We’re here to help you live your most comfortable life with quality air conditioning and heating. Our 75 experienced and licensed technicians are here to serve you and are available by both appointments and by emergency. Fill out a contact form or give us a call at 813-358-3431.
Sources:
https://livinglowkey.com/electric-bill/
https://lifehacker.com/how-to-reduce-your-energy-bill-with-no-cost-or-sacrific-5953039
https://www.thespruce.com/lower-your-electric-bill-1388743
https://bradburybrothers.com/blog/hvac/how-to-cut-your-utility-bills-in-half/