4 Quick Ways to Lower Your Energy Costs

With mid-summer highs in the upper 80s, you’ll want an efficient air conditioner to get you through the season in Raleigh, North Carolina. If your energy bills seem a bit high, there are several things you can do to push them down. These quick and simple solutions will help to lower your energy costs and bolster your bottom line this summer.

Change Your Dinner Menu

If you’re cooking inside on the stove or using your oven, your air conditioner has to work harder than usual to keep your home cool. Instead, try heading outside and cooking on the grill. If you don’t have a grill, a toaster oven can do the job for many dishes with less energy. Cold meals are a refreshing change in the summer as well. Try a chilled soup or fresh salad.

Do Your Chores Late

Large appliances like your washer, dryer, and dishwasher produce heat, so your air conditioner has to work harder if you’re running these during the heat of the day. Some power companies also charge more for energy used during these hours. Avoid this trap by doing your chores before noon or after 7 in the evening.

Keep Up with Maintenance

Regular HVAC maintenance will keep your system in top shape and improve efficiency. You should schedule maintenance visits twice a year. Ideally, you’ll plan one in the spring just before you turn your air conditioner on for the year and one in the winter before you return to heat.

Clean Up the Yard

Make sure your landscaping stays at least two feet away from the outdoor unit on all sides. Rake away leaves and other debris and keep the lawn well-trimmed in this area. Your system will use more energy if it has to suck air in through dense brush.

If you want to boost your savings, contact Air Experts at 919-480-2727 to learn more about increasing the efficiency of your unit or upgrading to a new high-efficiency system.