Summer is here, which means your air conditioner is up and running — and you’re wincing each and every time your home energy bill comes in. There’s no denying that the cost of air conditioning is expensive, but it’s hard to put a price on staying cool and comfortable during the suffocating heat and humidity of this time of year. Still, you don’t just have to suck it up and deal with exorbitant utility bills — there are plenty of things you can do around your home to reduce the costs of cooling. Here are just a few ways you can reduce the price you pay for home air conditioning in Chelmsford, MA.

• Install a ceiling fan, then turn your AC up a few degrees when it’s on: As you’re no doubt aware, the lower the temperature you set your air conditioning unit to, the harder it has to work to maintain that temperature — and the more electricity it uses up in the process, increasing your monthly bill. Ceiling fans are a relatively inexpensive, and energy-efficient, way to keep the cool air circulating throughout the rooms you need it most. Run your fan at the same time you run your AC, then turn your AC up 3 or more degrees from where you’d normally set it. You’ll almost assuredly feel as cool, and you’ll see the benefits of doing this as soon as you get your next bill.
• Invest in an AC timer: You don’t need to cool your house down when no one’s there — but some people leave their AC units on to ensure they’ll be comfortable as soon as they get home. This egregious waste of electricity can be easily solved with an AC timer, which can be set to turn off while you’re at work and the kids are at school. Have it turn back on shortly before you return home, and you’ll feel the cool as soon as you step through the door. The time the AC spends turned off each day will save you big bucks on your monthly bill.
• Buy a permanent AC filter and rinse it out every month: Most HVAC specialists recommend you change your filter at least twice a year: once during the beginning of the heating season and again at the beginning of the cooling season. There’s still plenty of buildup in the filter in the meantime, though, and buying replacement filters to make sure your AC is running at peak efficiency can simply shift the cost from your bill to your receipts from the hardware store. Buy a permanent filter and rinse it out once a month — you’ll keep your unit running at peak capacity, and you’ll never have to buy another filter again.

Home energy costs can be daunting during the summer months, but there’s plenty you can do yourself to bring the number on your bill down. And if you’re looking for repairs or possibly a more energy-efficient way to do home air conditioning in Chelmsford, MA, call MillTown Plumbing for their expert opinions on all things HVAC.

By Milltown Plumbing