How to Beat the Heat: Effective Strategies for Lowering Your Energy Bill with Air Conditioning
Gary Cripps 
On the hottest days, you need your air conditioner to ensure the comfort of everyone in your home. Unfortunately, that may mean that your energy bills skyrocket.
However, there are effective strategies you can enact that allow you to beat the heat and keep your electric bill from frightening you each month. Use these tips to get the most out of your HVAC system no matter how hot it gets out there.
Change Your Air Filters Regularly
Running your AC regularly can lead to the air filter getting dirty quickly. Every month, you should check your air filter, holding it up to a light source to see if it’s dirty. If you can’t see through it, it’s time to swap it out for a new one.
Even if you use quality air filters that can last up to 90 days, you still want to check it every 30 days. In summer, expect that you will be replacing it each month. If you smoke, have pets, or have someone in your home with allergies, you’ll want to change it monthly regardless of how it looks.
Clogged air filters obstruct airflow to your AC unit, forcing it to work harder than it needs to for the same output. By changing these filters regularly, you’ll keep your air conditioning from wearing itself out.
Use Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats are brilliant inventions that make it even easier to save on your energy bills. You can access it from anywhere and make changes through your phone, tablet, or laptop. Smart thermostats have occupancy sensors that detect when someone is home, humidity sensors, and other features that allow you to easily program your preferences and adjust them to your needs. This way, your AC isn’t wasting cold air when no one is home.
Seal Ducts and Openings
Leaky air ducts can keep your air conditioner from properly cooling your home. You’ll want to have them inspected to be sure they aren’t interfering with delivering soothing, cool air to every room.
Additionally, check all seals on doors and windows. Even the smallest opening can allow hot air in while letting cool air seep out. Essentially, this means your air conditioning unit will be working harder—and adding more to your electric bill.
Close Your Blinds
The window treatments in your home can also help you beat the heat. When that afternoon sun shines in, close the blinds or draw the curtains.
If the sun beats directly into your home near your thermostat, it can result in a false reading and keep your AC running more often than necessary. There are smart blinds you can have installed, too, that work just like a smart thermostat, allowing you to control them from anywhere.
Upgrade Your Insulation
When was the last time you had the insulation in your attic updated? If it’s been a while, it may be time to correct insulation issues. When your attic isn’t properly insulated, all that cold air from your AC wafts out of your home.
Keep Up with AC Maintenance
While you can do many things as a homeowner to take care of your air conditioning system, there are some things only the HVAC professionals can do. It’s always a smart move to set up regular preventative maintenance appointments with your local HVAC company.
They will check all the components and clean your system, ensuring that it will run smoothly and efficiently no matter how hot it gets out there. Regular maintenance can also help you catch any problems before they lead to full-blown malfunctions. In this heat, you’ll want to avoid a breakdown at all costs!
