Ten Ways to Lower Home Air Conditioning Costs

1. Watch the thermostat; keep it between 74 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit. If you set it any lower, you’re just throwing money away!
2. Check the weatherstripping on your windows and doors; even small cracks let the cool air escape.
3. Insulate your attic or add attic insulation if needed. Also, if your walls have inadequate insulation, your air conditioning savings could justify adding insulation throughout your home.
4. Install ceiling fans in your home and be sure they are directing the air in the optimal direction to keep your room cool. Heat rises, so rooms on the second story are prime candidates for ceiling fans.
5. Keep curtains and blinds closed during the daytime; especially windows that get direct sunlight.
6. Consider adding window tint to your windows.
7. Keep windows open at night to cool the house, closing everything up again when the sun beats down on your home.
8. If you have an older air conditioning unit, it may be worth upgrading to a new, energy efficient model.
9. If necessary, plan to be out of the house during the hottest part of the day and go to the mall, a movie theater or other cool place for a couple of hours.
10. Before the weather gets hot and your local serving company get busy, have your air conditioning unit checked and be sure all filters, air ducts and other components are clean and operating correctly.