There’s nothing quite like relaxing inside your air-conditioned home on a hot summer day. Of course, that kind of calm and comfort comes with a price – literally.

The logic is simple enough – the more time your AC spends keeping you cool, the more it runs up your electricity bill. And then there’s that little matter of added system wear and tear which, over time, will produce repair bills perhaps sooner than you expected.

So, sure, you can raise the thermostat to keep costs down. But available money-savings measures don’t end there.

Reduce Home Cooling Costs

Reduce Your Body Heat

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated; add in an electrolyte solution when you work up a sweat.
Dress in breathable, natural fabrics like cotton, linen, or hemp.
Soak your feet in a basin of cold water or keep a spray bottle in the fridge for a refreshing spritz.
Eat lighter meals like salads and sandwiches instead of hot, heavy meals.

Tips for Around the House

Limit heat-producing activities during the day. Run the dishwasher and washing machine or dryer overnight and postpone vacuuming until the evening hours.
Keep your shades drawn at least until the sun moves away from those windows.
Use fans along with your air conditioner to help circulate cool air around your home.
Make sure doors and windows are properly sealed to keep cool air in and hot air out.

Maintain Your Air Conditioner

Keep your AC in top working order by cleaning or changing the air filter as needed.
Shade your air conditioner from direct sunlight with shrubbery. Just be careful not to block or obstruct the fan so it has room to vent heat. If you have window units, install them on the north side of your home if possible.
Wash the outside of your outdoor condenser to remove grass and other debris. Once again, the compressor needs room to vent hot air.
Keep your registers open all the way. Shutting them even part way adds to your AC system’s wear and tear.

Here at Optimum Air, we can help reduce your energy costs with our AC preventive maintenance service. Other benefits include fewer repairs, longer system lifespan, and added safety. Contact us today to schedule service, especially if it’s been a year or longer since system maintenance was last performed.