photo credit: House Of Sims

Now that summer is here in full force, you, like many others, are probably relieved to have those high winter heating bills behind you. Unfortunately, in almost no time, high electrical bills from running your air conditioning are ready to take the place of those heating bills in your monthly expenditures. So much for relief!

In many climates, air conditioning is a necessary expense, but there are a few things you can do to try to keep those costs under control. By instituting a few cost-cutting techniques you can keep electrical bills at a level that doesn’t make you cringe when you open the mail.

Have your cooling equipment checked out annually. Air conditioning units that run efficiently will cost less to operate, in the long run. While you’re at it, make sure that you change the air filters in your air conditioner as recommended by the manufacturer.

Set your thermostat a degree or two higher than room temperature. Suggested room temperature is seventy-two degrees, but no one in your family will notice if you actually set the thermostat to seventy-three or seventy-four degrees. You’ll save a few dollars without causing any discomfort in the house.

Adjust your thermostat when your house is going to be empty. If no one is at home during the day, you can adjust your thermostat up to eighty degrees, or so. Then, when someone gets home, the thermostat can be returned to room temperature. The temperature difference is slight enough that your air conditioning unit will be able to cool the house back down in no time. If you’re lucky enough to have a thermostat that can be programmed, you can set timers to turn the air conditioning off and on at the appropriate time.

Use fans to help the cooler air from the air conditioner circulate throughout the house. Ceiling fans are great for this; just make sure that you have the blades turning the right direction. The user guide that came with your fan should tell you how to adjust the fan’s movement. Don’t despair if you don’t have a ceiling fan, however. You can make do with a tabletop fan or two placed throughout the house.