Reduce the Cost of Air Conditioning this Summer

By: Jon Boyd Barrett

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It’s that time of year again. It seems like we’ve only just turned off the heaters after a long cold winter and now we have to worry about the intense heat that summer time brings.While air conditioning provides one sure way in which to bear the heat, it certainly does no favors to your wallet. On average, AC accounts for 16% of electricity used in a household, but in warmer regions it can be much much more.

Here are some tips on how you can reduce your air conditioning expenses without having to sit drenched in summer sweat:

Raise the Thermostat

Even if you don’t take any of the other advice contained within this article, you will notice substantial savings in electricity use just by notching up your thermostat a few degrees.

There really is no need to have your AC set any lower than 80 degrees. Each degree that you have set below 80 will increase your energy consumption by 3 to 4%. Just think, by raising your thermostat 5 degrees, you could theoretically cut up to 20% off your energy use!

Get Creative With the AC

Should you decide just to stick to using your trusty old air conditioning unit, there are still further ways in which to reduce the costs other than raising the thermostat:

When you’re not at home, turn off the AC. If you're out of the home during the same hours each day, use the timer to automatically turn the AC off for those hours.
Time your AC so that it comes on and off in bursts. Whilst turned off, the cool air should stay around long enough for your to be comfortable for an hour or so.
Close air registers in rooms that you are not using.
Regularly cleaning the air filter will mean that the AC unit won’t have to work so hard and therefore save energy.

Save Money With Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans are a lot cheaper to run than regular air conditioning systems. Even if you run them along with your regular AC, the house will feel a lot cooler and your need for the AC will be less.

You might think that it would be expensive to buy and install ceiling fans but that's not the case. You can easily find a quality brand new ceiling fan online for $50. You may even be able to install them yourself as the process isn’t too difficult.

Once you have celling fans or if you already have them, ensure that they are spinning the correct way. There are two main settings on most ceiling fans, one which pushes the air upwards to circulate the air but so that you don’t feel it, the other to push the air downwards so that you get the breeze the fan creates.

Spend More Time Out of the House

It’s a simple concept. The less time you spend in the home, the less air conditioning you will need (assuming you remember to turn it off when you’re out).
If have a job to go to, you are already out of the house for a large part of the day. But if you are stuck at home, whether through having time off or though losing your job, there are alternatives to staying in the house that can still result in you being productive. Here are some of them:

Libraries - Utilize your public library. Not only are libraries free to go to and nicely air conditioned, you also have access to computers, books, newspapers, working areas and often a lot more. You can find your local library at Public Libraries.

Book Shops - Shops like Borders and Barnes & Noble allow for people to read and work for as long as they are open. Many of them even have work and reading areas to encourage you to do so.

Share Space - If you have a friend in the same position as you, you could alternate with spending time and working from each other’s homes.

The Outdoors - Seeing as it’s summer time, you may as well make the most of it. Spend some time in the local parks. Take some work and reading material with you as well.

Block the Sunlight

It doesn’t get simpler than this. Use drapes or blinds (preferably drapes as they work better) to block direct sunlight from entering the house.

This tip that can result in a temperature reduction of up to 20 degrees. If the heat doesn’t get in, it will not be there for you to have to pay to cool it.

Seal Up Air Leaks

Stop the cold air escaping and the hot air entering by sealing up the air leaks around the home. Use weather striping for doors and caulk for the windows. It is easy to install and you should be able to do it yourself quite cheaply.

Plant Trees

Create shade for the house and air-conditioning unit by planting trees around your home. Well positioned trees and shrubs can reduce indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees. Meanwhile, you will be helping the environment while also creating attractive landscaping for your home.

Insulate the Attic

It is estimated that 30% of a home’s cool air is lost as a result of poorly insulated attics, and while spending some money and time to properly insulate it may seem like a big job, it will certainly save you a fortune in the long run. Here are some Insulation tips from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Another Approach

If you don’t have an air conditioning unit or chose not to use the one you have, open all your windows to create a draft. Strategically place fans around the home, i.e. by the windows, away from shaded areas etc.

Get Creative

Here are some creative ways in which to keep yourself cool without the excessive use of air conditioning.

Ice Bags - We’ve already talked about the use of fans around the home, but you can make it even cooler by placing a bag of ice in front of the fan. This creates a nice icy breeze.

Bed Fan - This is a fan that works under the bed covers to keep you cool at night. A seemingly odd but useful invention. Check out BedFan here.

"Chillow” Pillow - Another nice idea to help keep you comfortable on hot nights is the “Chillow Pillow.” This is a pillow filled with a special gel that you just add water too. Have a look for your self at the ChillowStore.

Wet T-Shirt - Wear a wet, wrung-out t-shirt and sit by a fan.

Cool Showers - Taking cool showers throughout the day is an excellent way to keep you feeling refreshed without needing so much air conditioning.

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