It’s a fact: Texas heat is no joke. When you combine temperatures that are well within the 90s with humidity, it can make for a very uncomfortable setting. So as may of us resort to turning on the air conditioning unit in our homes, here are a few tips that will save you money on that energy/utility bill.
1. If you need to cool only one room, try not to use your central air conditioning. Instead, try a portable air conditioner, Modern portable units have a very high energy efficiency rating, so it will cool your room effectively and save you a lot of money.
2. Invest in mini-blinds or blinds for your windows. With blinds, you can reduce heat gain from direct sunlight by 40-50 percent. Also, consider hanging bamboo shades or tightly woven screens outside your windows. These shades have been known to trap up to 80 percent of the sun’s heat from getting through your windows.
3. During the day, it’s best to keep all of your windows closed. At night you can open them for ventilation and turn on your ceiling fan instead of an air conditioner.
4. Make sure your air conditioner is clean and that the filters are clean. It is best to clean your air conditioner filter at least once a month. Dust build-ups can significantly reduce air flow.
5. When purchasing an air conditioner unit, try to size the unit correctly for your room. A unit that is too small will not cool your room effectively, and a unit that is too large will consume much more energy than necessary and raise your energy bill. Study or ask about recommendations for proper air conditioner sizes for your room.
6. If your air conditioner is old and you have the money to purchase a more energy-efficient one, consider replacing it. Older A/C systems have a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of only 6 or 7. Newer ones on the market today offer SEER as high as 13. That rating means that it will consume almost 50% less energy.
Save Money Mondays: Air Conditioner Tips That Help You Save Money On Your Energy Bill [Video] was originally published on news92fm.com
