- Try fans. Window and ceiling fans can take some of the pressure off the air conditioner. “Fortunately, ceiling fans and window fans do not use nearly as much electricity as an air conditioning unit does,” said Haury. “Well placed fans can keep cool air circulating in the house, and keep your home from feeling like a sauna.”
- Turn off lights. Leaving unneeded lights on is a double-edged sword. Lights use electricity and increase your electric bill. Lights also create heat, causing your air conditioner to work even harder to keep your home cool. Only turn on the lights you need and use natural lighting when possible.
- Use energy-saver mode. When leaving the house, many people turn off the AC to save energy. However, this causes the house to heat up and then the AC unit has to work even harder to cool the home later. Some air conditioning units have an energy-saving mode that keeps your house cool while conserving energy. Using this can help you save money. Plus you won’t have to return to a stuffy home.
How to Lower Your AC Bills
The end of July and beginning of August typically bring the hottest temperatures of the year to Wisconsin. To beat the heat, most people turn their air conditioning up to full blast. Unfortunately this often results in an expensive electric bill.
This year we’ll help you stay cool and stay in budget. Below are some tips from an article called “5 Easy Fixes for a High Electric Summer Bill,” written by Amanda C. Haury on Investopedia.com: