Stay Cool & Save Money: Smart A/C Tips for Summer
When summer heat hits hard, it’s tempting to blast your air conditioner, but cranking the thermostat doesn’t cool your home faster. It just wastes energy, reduces efficiency, and puts unnecessary strain on your HVAC system.
Here are four expert-backed tips to help you stay comfortable and save money:
1. Set your thermostat wisely.
Aim for a temperature about 15 degrees cooler than the outdoor temperature. Avoid constantly adjusting it. Frequent changes force your system to work harder and cost you more.
2. Keep your A/C running, even when you’re away.
Set the thermostat a little higher during the day. This keeps your home from overheating, helps regulate humidity, and reduces the workload on your system when you return.
3. Replace air filters regularly.
Dirty filters restrict airflow, reduce indoor air quality, and can increase energy bills by up to 10%. As a general rule: a 1-inch filter should be replaced monthly.
4. Don’t skip annual maintenance.
Just like your car needs oil changes, your A/C needs regular checkups, any time during the cooling season is fine. Seasonal tune-ups keep your system running efficiently and catch small issues before they become expensive repairs.
Bonus: Don’t forget about humidity!
A well-functioning A/C system not only cools your home but also removes excess moisture from the air. This dehumidification helps your home feel cooler and more comfortable, even at higher thermostat settings.