Use a ceiling fan. On warm days, dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air-conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. Since fans only cool people, not the air, you’ll save energy and money by turning them off when you leave the room.
Close blinds, drapes, and shades during the hottest part of the day. This keeps the strong, warm sunlight from heating up your home and adding to the air conditioner load.
Retire your old central air conditioner. If your central air conditioner is more than 12 years old, consider replacing it with a new ENERGY STAR qualified model. These models can reduce your cooling costs by 20%.
Set your thermostat higher in the summer. In cooling mode, each degree you set your thermostat above 5 degrees will save you about 3%. For convenience, install a programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts the temperature while you are asleep or away from home, saving you more than $100 a year.
Set your furnace fan to auto. Setting the fan switch on your thermostat to "on” will cause it to run all the time, whether or not your home needs heating or cooling.
Keep air registers and vents clear of obstructions to allow air to flow freely throughout the room.
Keep room air conditioner out of the sun, if possible. Room air conditioners work best when kept cool. Installing one in a north-facing wall is usually ideal.
If you have a pool, turn off your filter overnight when the pool is not in use.
Get rid of hot air. Use an exhaust fan to blow hot air out of your kitchen while you’re cooking. The savings on your cooling costs far outweigh the electricity used by the fan. Also, take lukewarm showers and baths to avoid humid air, which holds more heat.
Postpone laundry and dish washing until nighttime to avoid generating extra heat in your home. Also, consider taking advantage of the warmer air and dry your laundry outside.
Use a dehumidifier in the warm, humid months to remove moisture from the air. A dehumidifier works best when air can circulate freely through it. Place it away from walls and bulky furniture.
Plant a tree. Well-placed shade trees can help reduce air conditioning costs in the summer, increase the efficiency of your air conditioner, and act as a windbreak. And, when the leaves fall off, allow warm sunlight to enter your home during the winter. Right now, we’re giving cash rebates equal to 50% of the price of a new tree.
Air conditioners can lose up to 5% of their energy efficiency every year they go without a regular checkup. That’s why we offer a cash rebate to get your A/C tuned up by a professional service technician. You’ll use less energy because your air conditioner will run more efficiently.