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We all know the feeling of getting an electric bill during the hotter months of the year, and how expensive it can be. Did you know there are small things that can be done around the house to help cut those costs and make your bill a little more bearable during the spring and summer months? We are going to talk about six different tips to help save on your bill. 

• Give your air conditioning system a yearly check-up or if needed, replacement

1. 1. Whether your air conditioning system is a year old or ten years old, it is important to get it checked each year. This is just to ensure that it is functioning properly, and that there are no problems that may cause your bill to rise in the hotter months. There are a number of running parts that make the air conditioning system run, and if one of those things isn’t functioning as it should, it can cause your bill to go up exponentially. One year, a specialist may suggest that it is time to replace the air conditioning system, and while it may be expensive, it will save you money on your overall bill and will be more cost effective in the long run. Make sure to consistently change your air filter. Not only is it bad to breathe in dirt from old air filters, it also blocks normal airflow from coming through the system which in turn causes excess energy usage. A good rule of thumb is to replace your air filter once a month. 

• Adjust your thermostat

1. 1. Did you know that every degree of extra cooling will increase energy usage 6-8%? In order to avoid this, it would be ideal to set the thermostat at a higher temperature when you are out of the house and only turn it down when people are home. If you hear your air conditioner already running, avoid lowering the thermostat until it turns off as this can cause unnecessary energy usage and result in a higher bill. Another tip would be to install a smart thermostat. It can sense when no one is home and will automatically adjust the temperature to conserve energy. 

• Use more fans instead of the A/C

1. 1. Fun fact: If you were to run a ceiling fan constantly for a month, it would only increase your electric bill by about five dollars. It is still recommended to turn off fans when you are done using them, but this just shows they do not add much to your bill. While fans do not necessarily change the temperature in the room, it creates a wind chill effect because it blows the existing air around. By using a ceiling fan to create air flow in a room, the temperature could be decreased in your home and still allow you to feel comfortable. By using ceiling fans in conjunction with your air conditioning system, it can save up to 40% on electricity. 

• Plant trees to provide shade to your home

1. 1. Another tip that can help you save on your electric bill is to plant trees and bushes that help shade your home. During the summer, people tend to migrate towards the shade on a sunny day due to the drastic difference in temperature. The same thing can be used for your home. Imagine a tree or two hovering over the top of your home or large bushes on the exterior creating this shade. There would be an instant difference with the temperature which would in turn save money on your electric bill as the air conditioning system would not have to work as hard. 

• Use windows to keep the heat out – blinds and curtains

1. 1. Tip number five would be to invest in blinds and curtains in order to keep the heat out during the warmer months. It is great to be able to let in the natural light the windows create, but it causes the air conditioner to work harder because of all the heat the sun is bringing in. If you love having that natural light, open the north facing windows as it will not let as much heat in due to the position of the sun. The best type of curtains to invest in to help keep the house cool are black-out curtains. They create total darkness in rooms and will keep the room cool. 

• Switch lighting to LED bulbs

1. 1. If you’re using incandescent light bulbs, now is the time to switch to LED light bulbs as they are the most energy efficient option right now. They are cooler than standard light bulbs which conserves energy, and they last 25 times longer. These LED light bulbs may be a little pricey up front, but they will make a difference in your overall energy savings. 

Some of these tips may be obvious, but you may not realize how much money you will save until you put them into practice. The hotter months of the year can be tough if you are overpaying on your electric bill, so these are just a few tips to help you during the spring and summer. So, switch out your light bulbs, close the curtains, and turn your fan on to start saving money!