Energy Conservation: Keeping Your Air Conditioning Costs Within Budget

By Michele Blandino

When the mercury soars during the summer months, so do most people's electric bills as they switch on the air-conditioning in an effort to cool down. Indeed, some government experts predict that the average homeowner can expect to spend close to one thousand dollars this year to cool and heat their homes. And, while many people don't give a second thought to knocking the thermostat down a degree or two for optimal cooling, the more budget conscious among us will look for other, less costly, ways to beat the heat.

Fortunately, being cost conscious doesn't necessarily mean that you have to endure a summer of sweltering in your home. By taking a few relatively easy steps, you can remain cool without blowing your budget.

Examine Your Air-Conditioner

One of the first things you should do is take a look at your air-conditioning unit. Older units tend to be less efficient and therefore, more costly. Consequently, if your air-conditioning unit is more than ten years old, you may want to consider replacing it with a newer, more efficient model. Additionally, while it is recommended that you have it professionally serviced at the beginning of each season so that it remains in good working order, you can also achieve good results by simply replacing the filter each month. Further, many people find that running ceiling fans in conjunction with their air-conditioning unit enables them to keep the thermostat a few degrees higher because the fans are helping to better circulate the cool air.

Change Your Habits

Obviously, the higher the temperature is in your house, the more the unit will run. One way in which you can help to keep the indoor temperature down by reducing the amount of time you use your oven - consider grilling food instead of baking it. If you must fire up the oven, consider waiting until later in the day when the outdoor temperature may be slightly lower.

You can also keep your home a little cooler by keeping the blinds or shades down - especially for windows facing west. By turning off unnecessary lights, you can also keep your home's temperature a little lower. And, while this may seem obvious to many, it bears repeating: be sure to keep your doors and windows closed when the air-conditioner is running.

You can also trim your bills by remembering to adjust your thermostat when you know you are going to be away from home for a few hours. While it may not make sense to turn the air-conditioner off altogether, especially when the outside temperatures are unbearably hot, it is not necessary to have the house cooled to your desired level when you are not there to enjoy it. By setting the thermostat a few degrees higher while you are away, you can cut hours from your unit's running time.

Home Maintenance

Finally, you should ensure that your home is as airtight as possible. By ensuring that windows are properly caulked and the weather stripping around the doors is securely in place, you will not only help to keep your home cooler during the summer, but also ensure you are warm during the winter.