In certain places of the country, winter is the time when electricity costs skyrocket. Around here in Arizona, things are just the opposite. Cooling a home in the desert can cost a fortune. Whether you are in the desert or not, these cooling tips can help you on those hot days this summer.
* Keep shades and curtains closed on windows to keep as much heat out as possible.
* Change your air conditioning filter monthly or as needed. Keeping the filter clean will help maintain the life of your A/C unit and keep it working more efficiently.
* When you are away from home for long periods of time, adjust the temperature of your thermostat. Contrarily, if you are in and out of the house throughout the day, readjusting the thermostat too often can make your unit work too hard.
* Use ceiling and portable fans. Running a fan in the room you are in uses much less energy than cooling the entire home an extra few degrees.
* Maintain your air conditioning unit. Get the unit inspected yearly to prevent costly emergency repairs. In addition, make sure the coils are clean and that ducts and insulation are in good condition.
* Be smart about appliances that heat up your house. Minimize the length of time you use the stove and oven by doing your cooking all at once. Use a toaster oven instead of a full-sized oven when possible. Keep the doors to your laundry room closed when the dryer is running. In general, try to reduce the amount of time you are using these heated appliances that fight against your air conditioning.
* Keep vents and doors closed in rooms that are not used very often.
* Keep your outside air conditioning unit clean and free from debris. The unit needs about two feet of space on each side in order to function most efficiently. Make certain that your dryer does not vent near your air conditioning unit. The lint will stick to the coils of your A/C unit, making it less energy-efficient.