Easy Ways to Reduce Cooling Costs this Summer

After a long and cold winter for most of the country, it appears that warmer weather has finally arrived.

On one side of things this means you can turn off your furnace once and for all, thus saving on heating costs. However, as the temperature in your area continues to climb, you’ll find yourself searching for ways to cool your home in the most economical manner.

The easiest way to immediately cool your home is to blast the air conditioner. Of course, this is also the most expensive strategy as well.

Here are some easy ways to reduce cooling costs this summer, all while remaining comfortable:

•    Open your windows. Rather than rely on your AC unit to provide cool air, open your windows and let Mother Nature take care of you. This is a particularly good idea during the nighttime hours when temperatures are lower.
•    Use a ceiling fan to circulate air. Even if you don’t turn your ceiling fan all the way up, a little bit of circulation can go a long way. If you don’t have a ceiling fan, opt for a box fan setup strategically in your room.
•    Keep the sun on the outside of your home. By closing shades, blinds, and curtains, you can keep the sunlight from penetrating and heating the interior of your home.
•    Run your AC in an economical manner. Rather than run your unit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, raise the temperature a bit when you leave home (such as for work). Even a couple degrees can go a long way in saving you money.
•    Maintain your AC system. When was the last time you called in a professional to inspect your cooling system? You may not think this is necessary, but a pro can offer tips and maintenance advice for saving you money and prolonging the life of your AC unit.

It’s a great feeling to know that the cold winter weather is finally in the past. As temperatures continue to climb, use these tips to keep your home cool without breaking the bank.