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There’s nothing like walking through the door on a brutal summer day and feeling that first whiff of cold, air-conditioned bliss. What is much less happy? When you open your electric bill a few weeks later, you’ll see that this relief from the heat cost you hundreds of dollars. The good news, according to experts, is that you don’t need to choose a sweaty side over spending a confrontation.
“I’ve found that reducing your air conditioning bill involves a combination of behavioral changes and potential home improvements,” says Lisa Purvins, vice president of Pro-Tech Heating and Air Conditioning. “Making small adjustments to your daily routine and optimizing the efficiency of your home can significantly reduce energy consumption. »
Translation: A few small adjustments – some free or one-off investments – can generate real savings without turning your home into a sauna. I asked air conditioning experts to share their favorite tips for keeping your home comfortable all summer without having to pay a sky-high bill.
How to reduce your air conditioning bill With temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit for days and counting across the country this summer, we understand why you might want to blow your air. But if your favorite summer activity is throwing your air conditioner all day, chances are your energy bill will take a hit. There are several ways to reduce your air conditioning bill without turning off or drastically changing how you use your air conditioner, experts say. Here are their main suggestions:
Raise your thermostat slightly: Chances are you won’t notice much difference in air temperature if you raise your thermostat (or your window temperature) by two to three degrees. But you’ll notice a difference in your energy bill, says Purvins. This simple adjustment can reduce your monthly bill by two to three percent. Invest in a smart thermostat: You can turn off the air conditioning when you’re not home, but it will take time to cool everything down when you arrive, which may not be so pleasant. This is where a programmable thermostat comes in handy. You can set it to raise the temperature when you’re away from home and lower it when you return, Purvins says. Many smart thermostats are even controllable from your phone, meaning you can lower the temperature before you get home so it’s cool when you arrive.Repair your equipment: “Regular maintenance of your air conditioning unit, including changing filters, is very important,” says Purvins. When an air conditioner is not maintained, it can become clogged, requiring more energy to cool a room. Dirty filters can also interfere with airflow, forcing it to work harder to expel air. In turn, this can cause your bill to skyrocket. Cleaning your window unit or having your air conditioner professionally serviced can help you avoid these energy losses. Upgrade your air conditioner: Every expert I spoke to recommended that you get a Energy Star rated air conditioning unit. Models with this government-backed rating are more energy efficient and have various controls and settings to optimize performance using the least energy possible, says Steve Rosas, environmental consultant, chief operating officer and president of Omega Environmentan environmental management and hazardous materials consulting company.Highly rated energy efficient air conditionersIf you are in the market for an air conditioner or looking to upgrade your unit to an energy efficient unit or even Energy Star certifiedsee the options below. They will cool rooms of various sizes and each have an average rating of at least four stars from buyers on Amazon or other retailers.
Designed with energy efficiency in mind, this air conditioner is ideal for home offices, bedrooms, or living spaces up to 150 square feet. Choose from seven temperature settings and two fan speeds to adjust to your comfort level, and remove the filter for quick and easy cleaning. The unit also comes with extendable side panels that fit standard windows, as well as a mounting kit for simple installation.
This Energy Star certified air conditioner offers up to 37% energy savings compared to standard units, depending on the brand. It is ideal for large rooms as it cools spaces up to 550 square feet. The U-shaped design allows you to open and close your window around the unit, blocking outside noise while letting in fresh air. Installation is simple with a quick-press bracket and adjustable side panels. Control it via an app, remote control or voice assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant for effortless everyday use.
This Enery Star certified unit cools spaces up to 800 square feet and pairs with the LG ThinQ app, allowing you to adjust temperature, modes and schedules from your phone. It can also be adjusted using Alexa or Google Assistant. Since its app is enabled, you can turn on your air conditioner before you get home to ensure the space is cool only when you need it, and turn off your device from anywhere in case you forget to turn it off before going out. Although its initial price is high, its ability to cool a larger room and its energy savings make it a smart one-time investment.
This portable air conditioner is designed for smart, energy-efficient cooling and is suitable for rooms up to 400 square feet. The three-in-one floor unit cools, dehumidifies and circulates air. It also comes with a remote control to control the temperature throughout the room, adjustable fan speeds, sleep mode and comes with an installation kit for easy installation.
Other Ways to Keep Your Home Cool While Using Less Air ConditioningDo you want to turn down your air conditioner or even turn it off completely to save money? There are several things you can do to keep your home cool. Some involve home improvements, while others revolve around items you can use in place of an air conditioner.
Home Improvements That Can Keep Your Home CoolRosas and Purvins mentioned that good insulation and sealing around doors and windows is essential. If they are not properly sealed, they will allow heat to seep through. To resolve this problem, caulk the gaps around windows and add weather stripping (made from thin strips of foam) around the doors, says Rosas. These things are pretty easy to do on your own: there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube. Or, you can hire a handyman to get the job done quickly.
Items to use instead of an air conditioner In addition to minor home improvements, a handful of items can help keep your home cool when you don’t want to blast the air conditioner. Keep your windows open during cooler parts of the day (think early morning and late evening) to let air in and create a cross breeze, says Purvins. As for heat, Purvins suggests hanging heavy curtains or blinds and keeping them closed to prevent sunlight from heating your home.
Another option is to use ceiling fans or a tower fan. Although this doesn’t cool the air, it keeps the airflow moving, Rosas says. At night, you can also place fans near open windows to draw cooler air into your home and help it circulate.
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Meet our cooling expertsAt NBC Selected, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Lisa Purvin is the vice-president of Pro-Tech Heating and Air Conditioning in Grand Rapids, Michigan.Steve Roses is an environmental consultant, chief operating officer and president of Omega Environmentan environmental management and hazardous materials consulting company.Why trust NBC Selected?I am a business writer at NBC Selected and a journalist who regularly covers wellness, beauty and lifestyle. I have also written about relieve how to relieve shoulder pain and whether or not menopause causes acne. For this story, I spoke with two doctors about what to look for in a pill vending machine.
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