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Air Conditioning Hacks for Warm Summer Nights

Posted on July 8, 2022 by

How To Stay Cool This Summer - Without Breaking the Bank

Summer is officially underway, which means hot days and warm nights are here to stay for the next couple of months. To beat the heat, many homeowners are cranking up their air conditioners and letting them do their thing around the clock - but higher utility bills come with all that increased usage. But what if there were a way to stay cool all summer without spending a fortune on air conditioning? There are a few ways! Keep reading for three simple hacks to help homeowners save money on cooling without sacrificing comfort!

78 Degrees - The Magic Number

The first way to cut cooling costs this summer is to simply raise the thermostat's temperature by a few degrees. The Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summertime, as this is a sweet spot for comfort and energy efficiency.

Of course, this isn't a hard and fast rule - homeowners can adjust up or down by a degree or two to find what's most comfortable for them. Generally speaking, homeowners can save up to 3% on cooling costs for every 1 degree they raise the temperature above 72 degrees - so even a little helps! If need be, homeowners can utilize ceiling fans to help keep things cool after raising the thermostat temperature.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

The next tip for lowering the electric bill in the summertime is to upgrade to a programmable thermostat. This allows homeowners to create a more dynamic schedule to fit their patterns. For instance, they can set the thermostat to automatically raise the temperature during the hours when everyone is at work or school, then lower it again around the time people start getting home.

This can help avoid cooling an empty house or getting up in the middle of the night to adjust the thermostat. Homeowners who want to take this idea a step further can install a smart thermostat, most of which can be controlled remotely from a smartphone or mobile device and come loaded with a host of other features designed to boost energy efficiency.

Replace the Air Filter On Time

The third way to keep the house cooler and save money simultaneously is to make sure the AC air filter gets changed regularly. A dirty filter will impede airflow, making it harder for cool air to be delivered throughout the house and diminish the unit's efficiency. 

Changing the air filter on time will ensure that the home has adequate airflow and the air handler unit isn't straining to pull air through the return vent and distribute it throughout the home's ductwork. This will mean lower electric bills in the short term, but it will also help reduce wear and tear on the unit, saving money on repairs in the long term.

It's generally recommended to replace the air filter every 3 months, but it's never a bad idea to change it more frequently if the home tends to have high levels of pet hair, dander, dirt, or dust. If in doubt, homeowners would do well to consult with a trusted Niles HVAC service company to determine the ideal air filter replacement schedule for their home.

About AirLux Heating & Cooling

AirLux Heating & Cooling has been serving the Niles community with pride for years. Their licensed, background-checked, and drug-tested technicians are available 24/7 and emphasize clear communication every step. They offer an unbeatable 3-year labor warranty and a cost-effective membership maintenance plan, so homeowners know they're getting the best when they call AirLux for air conditioner maintenance in Niles, MI.

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