This summer, we’re experiencing record-high temperatures across the country. Keeping our homes cool without overspending has become a real challenge. The U.S. Department of Energy says that utilities take up about 6% to 12% of our earnings, with air conditioning in places like Corpus Christi eating up a large part of that. While we can’t give up on air conditioning or fans in this heat, being smart about power use can help.
### 5 Simple Ways to Cut Your Summer Energy Bills
Air conditioning costs Americans more than $22 billion each year, making up around 70% of our electricity bills. The good news is, with a bit of careful planning, you can cut down on how much you’re spending. Here are some tips to help you save:
1. **Turn Off the AC When You’re Not Home**: It’s a myth that switching your AC on and off wastes more energy. In fact, significant savings come from turning off or lowering your AC when you’re out. Enduring a few minutes of warmth when you get back home is a small price for long-term savings.
2. **Upgrade Old Window Units**: Old air conditioners can be a headache and costly. Although new units are an upfront expense, they can help lower your electric bill in the long run.
3. **Keep Filters Clean**: Ignoring this easy step can lead to surprisingly high bills. Ever since I got hit with a shocking summer bill, cleaning the filter is a must on my to-do list.
4. **Open Windows for Fresh Air**: If you don’t have major allergies, letting in the breeze during early mornings and evenings can cut costs significantly.
5. **Use Fans Instead of the AC When Possible**: Using a fan instead of the air conditioner can lower your power consumption and reduce your bills.
These simple changes are more about managing your utility costs than just dealing with the heat. This way, you can keep more money in your pocket and avoid falling into debt from high summer expenses.
### Understanding HVAC and AC Terms
Homeowners often wonder, “What’s AC?” and “What’s HVAC?”. “AC” stands for “air conditioning,” while “HVAC” stands for “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.” These terms are often used interchangeably to describe any heating or cooling appliance in homes. Knowing about AC and HVAC helps you make better choices when it comes to buying heating and cooling systems.
### Choosing the Right Air Conditioner for Your Home
Air conditioning has transformed our lives since the 20th century. Back in the day, people used ice blocks to cool their homes. Today, we have advanced AC systems offering a wide range of options, from programmable thermostats to various types of units. Modern AC systems are vastly different from their early versions, providing a lot of choices to fit different needs and preferences.