How to Keep Your Central Air Bill Low
- 1). Buy a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperate inside. Setting the temperature higher during the day when you are gone will save money. Program the thermostat for 80 degrees during the day between 10am and 5pm. Set it to turn on at 5pm and set the temperature for 76 degrees. The house will have cooled off by the time you return.
- 2). Use the AC only when the temperatures are above 90 degrees. On cooler days open windows and use fans to bring in cool air.
- 3). Cover windows that get early morning sun. The sun can heat a room up quickly. Dark curtains or window shades block out the heat as well as the light. Heavy drapes with rubber backing keeps out a lot of the heat.
- 4). Turn off the air at night when you are sleeping. Buy a standing fan or window fan unit for nighttime use. You can set the thermostat to turn off after midnight and back on when you come back from work.
- 5). Lights and other appliances generate heat and make the air conditioner work harder to cool the house. Turn off the lights during the day. Run the dishwasher at night when you go to bed and set it to air dry. Washing machines and dryers produce heat as well. Use them later in the evening and line dry clothes whenever possible.
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