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Tips for Saving on AC Costs Hot Climates
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Posted On :
Jul-15-2009
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Article Word Count :
494
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When you live in an area where the climate is hot and the air conditioner needs to be run all year long, your cooling bills can put a huge dent in your wallet. In order to save money on your electric bill
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When you live in an area where the climate is hot and the air conditioner needs to be run all year long, your cooling bills can put a huge dent in your wallet. In order to save money on your electric bill, you might be tempted to just turn of the AC and suffer, but that isn’t necessary. Here are some helpful tips that will increase the energy efficiency of your cooling system and help save money on your electric bills when the weather is warm.
- Choose the right sized air conditioning unit for your home or room. Air conditioners that are too powerful or not powerful enough for your space will waste electricity and cause your costs to rise.
- Replace older air conditioning units. Newer models have been made to increase energy efficiency so the extra money spent on a new system will save you money in the long-term.
- Change or clean your air conditioner filters monthly, and have the system serviced regularly. This will keep your air conditioner operating at its peak and will reduce your operating costs.
- Set your thermostat to a slightly higher, but still comfortable, temperature when you are not home. This will keep your system from working too hard when the home is unoccupied, but comfortable enough to return home to.
- Use ceiling and floor fans to help distribute the cool air throughout the rooms in your home. Moving air will feel cooler and will allow you to stay cool and comfortable without overusing the air conditioner.
- Keep curtains or shades closed on any window with sun shining through. The sunlight will heat the room and cause your air conditioning to work harder to keep your home cool.
- Try to keep your air conditioner set at 78 degrees or higher. Lowering the temperature increases your costs up to four percent per degree.
- Be sure that your home is properly insulated. This will help to prevent the loss of cool air through the walls, ceiling and attic of your home.
- Check windows and doors to be sure they are properly closed. Make sure all storm windows are closed to increase the protection against air leaks.
- Change your light bulbs to fluorescent bulbs. Not only are these more energy efficient, but also they produce less heat in a room than a standard light bulb.
- Cook in your microwave or on the grill as much as possible when the weather is its warmest. This will prevent the heat from the stove or oven from working against the cooling effects of your air conditioner. Use exhaust fans when using larger cooking appliances to help pull the hot air from the kitchen.
When living in a hot climate, air conditioning is a necessity and can even be a literal lifesaver. Though running the AC can get expensive, by following these tips, you can reduce your cooling costs significantly and still be comfortable, even when temperatures soar.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Tips for Saving on AC Costs Hot Climates_1747.aspx
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Author Resource :
About the Author:
Joe Cline writes articles for Austin REALTOR. Other articles written by the author related to Austin real estate and Lakeway Realtor can be found on the net.
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Keywords :
Austin REALTOR, Austin real estate, Lakeway Realtor,
Category :
Home and Family
:
Home Improvement
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