Top Ways to Keep Costs Down on Air Conditioning While Beating the Heat

As the heat wave continues to spread 100 plus degree weather throughout the U.S. this summer, many are looking for alternatives to running the air conditioner, while other are embracing technology with a portable air conditioner.

Estimates are that air conditioning accounts for about 60 percent of electricity use in the south in the United States, additionally the U.S. Department of Energy, says the average US household spends $276 a year on their air conditioning.

To keep costs down while trying to beat the heat there are a few tips which can help you save money by improving the efficiency of your home’s cooling ability.

1. Raising your thermostat a few degrees will save your money while still keeping it comfortable inside. An air conditioner uses three to five percent more energy for each degree that it is set below 75 degrees. Experts recommend a setting from 77 to 79 degrees. Without the humidity found outdoors, you will be surprised how comfortable this temperature range is.

2. Use ceiling and table fans, but only in the room which you occupy. The breeze from a fan keeps you cooler, but is a waste of power if no one is in the room to feel it.

3. Switch out to CFL bulbs. Not only will they save you electricity, but they do not give off heat the way standard light bulbs do.

4. Use your microwave instead of your conventional oven. Again, this saves money by using less energy and it also does not result in a hot kitchen. Better yet, take advantage of the outdoors with a bar-b-que grill.

5. Check and if necessary, replace the seals around your doors and windows. You could be leaking a lot of air, and money, to the outside.

6. Close off seldom used rooms in the house and close the air vents to those rooms. They will still be cool relative to the outside, however is reduces the volume of air handled by your air conditioner and reduces your power bill.

On a related note to the last item, many are turning off the home air conditioner, especially if it is an older system and opting for new advanced technology portable air conditioner systems. This allows you to move the unit with you as you settle into any given room in your house, and only use power to keep that area cool.