How To Lower Your AC Bill

Small steps to tighten up your home to keep hot air from getting inside will save on utility bills and keep you, your family and your guests comfortable.

Ceiling Fans: Using them allows you to raise the thermostat setting 4 degrees without affecting your comfort. Set blades to rotate counter-clockwise to pull warm air up to the ceiling.

Ducts: Insulate and seal them because air loss through ducts can account for up to 30 percent of a cooling system’s energy consumption.

Window treatments: Interior slatted blinds are better at keeping out the sun than keeping out the cold. Double-sided fabric blinds, shades and draperies can reflect solar heat outward in the summer.

Filters: Replace or clean air conditioner filters at least once a month. Homeowners who live with multiple pets, in dusty areas and/or in high-pollen regions may want to change filters more often during peak months.

Appliance fans: Use the range hood fan when cooking and the bathroom fan when showering or bathing to help remove heat and humidity from the air.

Remember, climate control is about the comfort of people in a home – not the comfort of an empty home!

Related HVAC information
How to check your thermostat
Energy savings tips

SOURCES: U.S. Department of Energy, American Standard