How to Lower Cooling Costs This Summer

Running your air conditioner all summer can be expensive. But you don’t have much choice when temperatures skyrocket and there’s no relief in sight. That’s why the HVAC experts here at River City Heating & Air Conditioning are sharing simple ways you can lower cooling costs without giving up air conditioning. Read our blog and feel free to give us a call if you have any questions or concerns.

Money-Saving Tips From Our Pros

Set a higher temperature and stick to it—the higher you set your thermostat, the less energy your air conditioner will use because it has less of a difference to make up. Find the highest temperature your family is comfortable with (ideally around 75 degrees). Remember that your A/C also removes humidity, so you’ll feel cooler even with a few extra degrees. If you need to adjust it, try moving your thermostat only one degree every few days. This helps you slowly get used to more efficient settings. Trust us—it’ll help you save in the long run.

Keep your ceiling fan going—while ceiling fans don’t change air temperature, they can provide what experts call the “wind-chill effect.” Set your fan to rotate counterclockwise. This pushes the air down to help you feel up to six or seven degrees cooler.

Invest in regular maintenance—our customers know the benefits of routine maintenance are well worth the cost. For every year your air conditioner goes without a cleaning, it can lose up to 10 percent of its efficiency. Keep your system clean and clear of dust and grimy buildup to promote efficient operation and airflow. While we proudly install Bryant® air conditioners, we do service all other makes and models.

Avoid hot midday activities—during the day, try to limit household activities that generate heat, like using the oven, running the dishwasher, or washing and drying clothes. It might not seem like much, but they add up and make your house feel warmer. To maintain a comfortable temperature, your air conditioner will have to run more often.

Open windows at night—if temps dip overnight, open your windows and let fresh air in to give your A/C a break from constantly running. Just be sure to close them and turn the air conditioning back on before you leave for the day. Otherwise, you’ll come home to a hot box and your cooling system will have to work even harder to cool it down.

Take cooking outdoors—using your stovetop or oven can raise indoor temperatures quicker than you think. Take advantage of nice summer evenings and grill dinners instead. If there’s rain in the forecast, grill a few meals at once and reheat in your microwave without heating your home.

Questions About Saving? Just Ask

We hope you enjoy these money-saving tips from our pros. If you have any questions about these tips or are wondering how else you can save, call (507) 454-7689 or contact us today. We’re happy to help you get and stay comfortable!