During the summer, electric bills tend to skyrocket. People are home more often utilizing the electricity, and air conditioning is used 24/7, which leads to a pricy electric bill. If you are trying to avoid breaking the bank to pay off a simple electric bill, keep reading to find six different ways to save money on your electric bill in the summer.
1. Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
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Programmable thermostats give you the option to schedule times for your air conditioner to kick on and shut off. If you can program it to turn off while you won’t be home, you can save a decent amount of money right from the start. If no one is home to enjoy the air conditioning, then there is no reason to be wasting energy and money.
2. Give Your Air Conditioner a Check-Up Before the Heat Sets In
While you might have to spend money on the AC repair company to come in and take a look and possibly replace your air conditioning, it saves you from the possibility that your old a/c is using more energy to run than it is supposed to, leaving you with a high electric bill. Make sure your air conditioner is working at maximum or close to maximum effort, to ensure you’re not wasting pennies.
3. Clean Your Air Conditioning Unit and Other Vents
A clean air conditioner makes all the difference in the world. Keeping your air conditioners’ foils, filters, and fins maintained and cleaned save more energy consumption than you would think. Replacing or cleaning a dusty, dirty, clogged filter helps air flow more regularly, saving your air conditioner energy and money.
4. Use Ceiling Fans if You Have Them
If your house came with ceiling fans, consider yourself lucky because utilizing these fans can help save you money. While they don’t work quite as well as an AC would, they still definitely make a difference and cool you down, all while saving you a few extra dollars.
5. Don’t Be Afraid of Using Natural Ventilation
Another cost-effective way to ditch the air conditioning, yet still be cooled off, is using natural ventilation. Crack open your windows and let the breeze transport you to a cooler place. If you’re worried about bugs coming in, install window screens to keep the air in, yet flies and moths out. Cool summer nights and breezy days are the perfect time to take advantage of the climate and save a dollar or two on electricity.
6. Quit Leaving Things on When It Is Unnecessary
It’s like when your parents would yell at you when you would leave your bedroom light on when you left for school. If you do not need to have things plugged in or on, don’t. Unplug chargers when you’re not using them. During the day, use the natural lighting to light up your house and avoid using lights in the daytime. With all of these cuts, you are sure to save money on your electric bill.
