Lower Your Air Conditioning Bills

Just when you think it can't get any hotter, it does. Lucky you. You've got air conditioning. Lucky you. You've got air conditioning bills.

But they don't have to be astronomically high. You can do little things in your home that can add up to big savings on your utility bills next month.

Here's how to lower your air conditioning bills during the dog days of summer - and still maintain your cool.

1  Dial Up the Air Conditioning Temperature

To reduce your energy bills during the hottest days of the year, raise your air conditioner's thermostat setting to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and higher while you're at work.

By raising the AC temperature settings seven to ten degrees for eight hours a day, you can save as much as 10 percent on your energy bills. Suffer a little heat now and reap the monetary rewards next month.

2  Use a Programmable Thermostat 

Consider installing a programmable thermostat with a built-in timer. While you can easily adjust the thermostat, a programmable thermostat reduces energy use by adjusting temperatures when you're away or asleep.

3  Close Up and Lighten Up

To keep your home cool, close curtains, blinds, and shades during daylight hours. Whatever your window treatments, you'll see significant savings by keeping them drawn all day to prevent solar heat gain.

Choose light-colored window treatments. The lighter the color, the more they'll deflect the sun's scorching rays. Hang window treatments as close to the windowpanes as possible, so they can block outdoor heat from radiating inward. 

Open your windows, especially at night. This is an effortless cooling technique: cross ventilation. Like fans, opening two or more windows in a room or house helps circulate air, and at night, cooler outside air can replace overheated indoor air. 

4  How To Lower Your Air Conditioning Bills With Ceiling Fans

Use ceiling fans, especially on your home's upper levels. Heat rises. It's how to lower your air conditioning bills and stay cool in the process.

Sure, they may be low-tech, but they work wonders. Fans can make you feel six or seven degrees cooler via the wind-chill effect. 

Fans don't actually cool the air; they make it feel cooler by moving it and pulling body heat away from the skin. 

Ensure your ceiling fan has angled blades and the air is pushed downward at you. A ceiling fan can reduce air conditioning needs, saving up to 40 percent on electricity. 

5  Weather Strip Windows and Doors

Poorly sealed windows leak air, making your air conditioning system work harder. Caulking leaks and cracks and weather-stripping windows will prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering. 

Windows aren't the only parts of your home that can leak air. Attics, walls, and crawl spaces also lose air. Professionally insulating your home is one of the best ways to increase energy efficiency. 

6  Replace Air Filters Seasonally

Air filters keep your air conditioner running at peak efficiency by preventing dust from blocking vents. If the filters are dirty, your system must work harder to circulate air.

Replace your filters at least every few months and possibly more often if you have pets or kids. Air filters are cheap and easy to replace by yourself. Clearing a clogged AC unit filter can save 5 to 15 percent energy use and help the unit work better.

If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, you can cut your energy costs in half by replacing it with a newer, more efficient unit. 

Look for a high energy efficiency ratio, EER, or an Energy Star-qualified unit. Higher EER ratings indicate a more efficient air conditioner. Energy Star is a system used by the U.S. government to designate energy-efficient products. 

7  Reduce Indoor Heat by Cooking Outdoors

Don't cook on the stovetop or use your oven when the outdoor temperature exceeds the indoor temperature.

You can reduce indoor heat by cooking in the microwave, firing up the outdoor grill, or eating cooler foods, such as salads and fruit. If you must bake lasagna for tomorrow's potluck, do it in the evening.

By simply avoiding it, you'll save money on electricity and the cost of making the AC work overtime. 

8  Throw Heat Some Shade

Sunlight streaming in through windows raises the temperature inside your home. By blocking the sunlight, you can reduce that effect. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, shading your air conditioner with trees or shrubs can increase its efficiency by up to 10 percent.

9  Let Humidity Dictate Cooling Settings

10  Upgrade Windows

If your home has older windows, they might need to be more energy-efficient. Installing new energy-efficient windows can reduce your home's cooling costs. Some upfront cost is involved, but you'll make it up in the long run with lower energy bills.