It feels great to spend time in the summer sun when you’re relaxing by the pool or having adventures in the mountains. But having summer sun warm up your home isn’t quite as fun… especially when you get your energy bill in the mail.
You may be wondering how to lower your energy bills without spending the whole summer sweating. Just how low can your energy bill go?
Here are some ways to help lower your home’s energy bills this summer.
Cover your windows
One of the easiest ways to stop the sun and heat from coming into your home is to close up your house during the day. Draw your blinds or curtains, especially on the side of the house that gets afternoon sun. If you’re really looking to keep your home cool during the day, you can also invest in blackout curtains.
Cooling down the house naturally means that you’ll give your air conditioner a break, and it won’t have to work as hard to cool down your house.
Replace your air filters
Air filters are often overlooked, but they play an important role in how efficient your air conditioner is. All of the air of your home gets passed through these filters. The air inside your home can be surprisingly polluted with things like dust, pet dander, and even ash and smoke from nearby wildfires.
If your filters haven’t been changed in a while, it’s harder for your air conditioner to do its job efficiently. Simply changing out these filters on a regular basis can save you a bit of money over time.
Have your air conditioner serviced
When was the last time you had a professional HVAC technician look at your home’s cooling system? Even if your air conditioner still seems to be operating and putting out cold air, it’s good to have a check-up if you haven’t had one for a while. It’s especially good to look into any concerning, out-of-the-ordinary noises like clanks and rattles. An air conditioner that’s operating at its best and most efficient will help to lower your energy bills.
Replace your aging air conditioner
Technology moves quickly, and appliances made today are much more efficient and cost-saving than older ones. If your air conditioner is over ten years old, you may want to talk to a professional to determine if it would be more cost-effective to replace it. While it’s more expensive to replace it now, the cost of the new unit will soon cover itself.