5 Ways to Save Money on Cooling for Summer

The summer heat has returned to Michigan in full force. And throughout the season we’ve been turning up the AC. Unfortunately, this leads to higher energy costs, and your utility bills may be experiencing noticeable increases. While a higher utility bill is to be expected during the summer when you’re using your cooling almost 24/7, you shouldn’t just cave into the costs. Instead, you’ll want to practice some ways to save money on cooling for summer.

Iceberg Heating & Cooling is here to help Monroe homeowners cut down AC costs while still beating the heat. Below are 5 ways to save money on cooling for summer.

1. Seal Your Doors and Windows

When doors and windows have cracks or holes, conditioned air will seep through these openings and compromise your comfort. It reduces the amount of cold air in your home and drives up energy costs due to your HVAC system having to work harder to reach the desired temperature. To help save money on cooling for summer, you’ll want to seal your doors and windows. We have provided a few ways to do this below:

• Use weather stripping to seal any cracks or holes in doors and windows.
• Use draft stoppers to seal the sides of doors and windows.
• Place door bottoms on doors to prevent drafts from escaping below.
• Place insulated, light-colored curtains on windows.

2. Change HVAC Filters Regularly

HVAC filters are meant to collect dust and debris circulated by your HVAC system. Eventually, they will become clogged, and require a replacement. Clogged filters have reduced the ability to catch dust and debris, and these contaminants will impact your HVAC system’s performance and drive up energy costs. Therefore, you’ll want to ensure you replace your HVAC filters regularly.

Generally, you’ll want to replace your HVAC filters every 2-3 months. However, depending on the size of your family and pet ownership, replacement can be required sooner. So, we recommend inspecting your HVAC filter every month for any noticeable clogs of dust and debris.

3. Utilize a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans use almost negligible amounts of energy compared to an AC unit. And having a ceiling fan take some of the workload from your AC unit can help reduce costs immensely. Since ceiling fans pull and distribute existing cold air, you get a cooling effect from the air already in your home. Therefore, you can turn down your AC and run the ceiling fan on a high speed to maintain the same comfort you desire while also saving on energy costs!

4. Minimize Heat from Other Items

Heat produced by appliances can increase your home’s temperature. Ovens, stovetops, incandescent light bulbs, washers, and dryers all create heat, and your ventilation will take this heat and distribute it through the rest of your home. This causes your AC to work harder to match the desired temperature, which increases energy costs. Therefore, you’ll want to minimize the heat from these items. Avoid using multiple heated appliances at once. Additionally, try using an outside grill for cooking instead of using the stovetop and oven.

5. Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats allow you to schedule what your home’s temperature will be throughout the week. And by upgrading to one, you’ll be able to cut down on energy costs from the AC. Using a programmable thermostat, you can set it so that your AC turns off when you leave for work and turns right back on before you arrive home. Additionally, you can set your AC to power down while you’re sleeping to help reduce energy costs even further.

If you would like to install a programmable thermostat in your home, contact Iceberg Heating & Cooling for our thermostat services.

Make this summer more relaxing by following these cost saving tips for your cooling! And contact Iceberg Heating & Cooling when you’re ready to install a programmable thermostat in your home. Give us a call at 734-342-3420 for quality thermostat services!

Related Links:

Spring and Summer Energy-Saving Tips – U.S. Department of Energy

Energy Saver 101 Infographic: Home Cooling – U.S. Department of Energy