Five Cool Ways to Reduce your AC Costs

With the nation’s electric rates steadily on the rise, many homeowners are searching for ways to lower their summer AC bill. There are numerous ways to do this that don’t include sweating it out in a hot apartment or home. Perhaps the #1 way to lower your home cooling bill is to switch to a low-cost electric supplier offering a more affordable electric rate.

But don’t stop there, because you can save even more. Read below to learn more simple but effective ways to decrease your AC bill while remaining comfortable in your home.

1. Set an AC timer. Setting your AC to turn off during certain times of the day is one of the best ways to lower your air conditioning costs. If you have an AC window unit, you can purchase a plug-in timer from your local home improvement store. For central air conditioning, simply install a programmable thermostat with a timer. Once your AC timer is in place, simply set it to turn off when you leave for work in the morning (e.g. 8 a.m.) and to turn on about one hour before you typically return home from work (e.g. 4 p.m.).


2. Turn it off when you sleep. To lower your AC bill even more, set your AC timer to turn off one hour after your normal bedtime and one hour before you wake up in the morning. Or, better yet, completely turn off your AC at night and open your windows to let in the cool nighttime air or use fans to help lower your electric bill. Simply put: the less AC you use, the more money you’ll save.


3. Block the Sun. Another way to lower your air conditioning costs is to block direct sunlight from entering your home. You can do this by pulling down your window’s shades or closing your curtains or blinds. You can also install reflective window film or plant shade trees in your yard. The more direct sunlight you can block from hitting your roof or shining through your windows, the less you’ll need your AC.


4. Seal drafty windows and doors. One common culprit of an expensive electric bill is unsealed, drafty windows and doors. On a hot summer day, place your hand along the cracks of one of your windows or doors. Do you feel warm air seeping in? If so, the cool air you’re paying so much for is escaping through those cracks as warm air leaks in. You can seal any cracks and preserve your costly cool air with weather stripping and/or caulk.


5. Install a radiant barrier. In states with hot climates, a home’s attic can reach temperatures in the 130’s during the summertime. A great way to lower your AC bill, particularly for homeowners in sun-drenched states such as Florida, Arizona, or Texas, is to install a radiant barrier in your attic. A radiant barrier reflects over 95% of the sun’s heat back into the atmosphere and allows your attic to "breathe." With a radiant barrier, your attic will be much cooler and safer for storage purposes or even as an extra living space. Plus, it will decrease your monthly AC bill by more than 10%!