Summer Efficiency Tips: 10 Smart Ways To Cut Your Cooling Bills

It’s been a scorcher so far this summer here in NJ, and with everyone home more than usual, you probably have the cooling bills to prove it.

Want to tame those bills? Here are 10 cost-effective ways to do it.

Cost Effective Home Cooling

1. Check and change air filters regularly – A dirty air filter causes your air conditioner to overwork – and you to overpay for your cooling bills. Check your HVAC filter monthly, replacing or cleaning it when needed (depending on the model).
2. Cool selectively – If you have central air conditioning, close vents in rooms you don’t use, or consider installing a zoned cooling system. If you have a ductless air conditioning system, run it only in rooms you use regularly.
3. Cook and dry outside – Avoid using appliances that generate heat (ovens, clothes dryers, etc.), especially on the hottest days.
4. Program your thermostat – Run your house slightly warmer when no one is home and when you’re sleeping; on average, you’ll save about three percent per day on air conditioning bills for each degree you raise the thermostat.
5. Shoot for 78 – When you’re home, target a temperature of about 78 degrees – a temperature the Department of Energy says represents the best balance of comfort and energy savings.
6. Use fans – By running ceiling fans, you can raise your thermostat by two to three degrees with no loss of comfort.
7. Add window treatments – Windows are one of the main culprits when it comes to letting in outdoor heat; reflective window treatments can send solar gain back where it came from. Check out this Department of Energy link to learn more about energy saving window treatments.
8. Service your air conditioner – Annual maintenance is a must for your home cooling system: without it, your equipment will lose about five percent efficiency per year. Your equipment will also be more prone to breakdowns.
9. Add insulation – If you own an older New Jersey home, there’s a high likelihood that it’s under-insulated. That makes a difference in every season, including summer: with insufficient insulation, outdoor heat will simply move through your exterior walls, further taxing your A/C and raising your cooling bills.
10. Consider a cooling system upgrade – A new high efficiency air conditioner can save you 30 percent on your monthly bills compared to your older model, which means it will pay for itself in just a few years – especially when you consider NJ energy efficiency rebates and manufacture’s incentives.

    Our experts can help you choose a cooling system that’s a perfect match for your home and budget, with options available from quality manufacturers in all sizes and configurations. We’ll help you sort through your rebate options, too, so you’ll get the most for your money. We’ll then install it quickly and correctly the first time, so there’s no need for a repeat visit.

It’s not too late for air conditioning service or a new A/C installation – especially if your air conditioner can’t keep up this summer! Contact Dixon Energy today for a FREE, no obligation estimate on high value air conditioning installations in Morris, Somerset, Union and southern Sussex counties, NJ.