How to Lower Your Monthly Air Conditioning Bill

If you live in a part of the country where the summers are oppressively hot, an air conditioner isn’t just a luxury, it is a necessity. Still, with the cost of electricity going up on an annual basis, you want to try and spend as little as possible without sacrificing much, or preferably none, of your comfort. This article will discuss how to lower your monthly air conditioning bill by employing simple strategies that require minimal effort. These strategies will not only keep you cooler for less, but will help extend the life of your air conditioning unit.

1 – Be a basement dweller

Hot air is less dense than cooler air, which causes it to rise. The lower in the house you are the cooler the air will be, and that area will require less air conditioning to reach a comfortable temperature. In the summer, try to spend as much time as possible in the basement. Move your TV down there, and if you have a spare bedroom then sleep down there too. By being a little flexible in where you spend the bulk of your time you can save a great deal of money on your air conditioning costs.

2 – Check the SEER

Before you decide to buy find out what the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of the air conditioning unit is. The higher the number the better if you want to lower your monthly air conditioning bill. Lower numbers indicate it will cost more money to run the unit. Legislation passed within the past couple of years mandates that all central air conditioners have a SEER of at least 13. Window air conditioners are exempt from this law, however, so you should still do your research if buying a window unit. If you have an older unit with a low SEER you might want to consider upgrading. As long as it isn’t too costly, the upfront expense should ultimately save you money on your air conditioning bill in the long run.

3 – Clean your air conditioning unit

Want to lower your monthly air conditioning bill? Then you are going to have to get your hands dirty (or pay a professional to get theirs dirty). From the condenser coil in the outside unit to the furnace filter, these systems can get clogged with all sorts of dirt and debris. By keeping them clean you’ll ensure your air conditioning unit is running at peak efficiency, and this will save you a lot of money over the course of a long, hot summer.

4 – Get a programmable thermostat installed

If you want to maintain maximum comfort without the need for constant adjustments, then having a professional install a programmable thermostat is another way how to lower your monthly air conditioning bills. You can program it to stay off while you are at work for the day, then come on shortly before you get home, ensuring the house is at a comfortable temperature upon your arrival.

These are just some of the ways you can lower your monthly air conditioning bill, but they will impact your finances significantly if you can adhere to them, without forcing you to “sweat it out” during those days you can fry an egg on the sidewalk.