5 Energy-Saving Tips to Beat the Heat

Summer temperatures are rising and so are our electric bills. Even though blasting the air conditioner is the quickest way to beat the heat, these five tips can help cool your home and your monthly utility bills by helping you save money.

1. Get an energy audit. Some energy providers will send a rep to your house to perform an energy audit on your home – for free – and provide ways to improve your home and reduce your power bill.
2. Replace all air filters. With a clean air filter, your AC unit doesn’t have to work as hard to push air out. If you don’t have the funds to replace the filter, clean it every three to four months with a handheld vacuum or damp rag.
3. Clean your vents. A regular vacuum will do the trick if you don’t want to pay to get them professionally cleaned. Also make sure you don’t have furniture blocking the flow from the vents. Your vents need to be clean and free of clutter to work efficiently.
4. Use fans. Ceiling fans recirculate cold air down into the rooms of your home in the summer (while letting the hot air rise above the fans and out). Yes, you’ll spend electricity on this, but fans use way less power than AC units. Floor or table fans are a great alternative too.
5. Install a programmable thermostat. This way you can set a schedule that can cool your home down or turn it off at certain times instead of leaving the AC on all day and night.