There are plenty of ways to reduce your energy bills and keep your home comfortable during the summer without spending more money. In this article, we’ll explore a few simple tips you can use to make your heating and air conditioning system more energy efficient.

Air conditioners are notoriously energy guzzlers, but there are several things you can do to make your system work harder and save you some money. These strategies can help you lower your utility bill by up to 40% during the hottest part of the year.

Check the Thermostat

A thermostat is a small control box on your wall that helps regulate your home’s temperature. This thermostat sends signals to your HVAC system, which turns the heater or Arvada AC on to achieve your desired room temperature.

Most thermostats are set at a single temperature and rarely changed again once a comfortable room temperature has been established. However, there are ways to save money and reduce your energy usage by making slight adjustments to the thermostat settings.

Using a programmable thermostat is a great way to conserve energy and keep your home’s temperature right. The best programmable thermostats will let you program when the temperature should turn on or off, which is perfect for summer or winter.

You can also use a smart thermostat to monitor your energy usage and compile that data into a report so you can make changes. Some models will even show why your energy usage may have increased or decreased over a certain period.

Clean the Filter

A dirty air filter can clog your system or cause it to run inefficiently. Regularly cleaning your filter can help you avoid these problems and save on energy costs.

To start, turn off your HVAC unit to prevent unfiltered air from circulating while you clean it. Locate the vent, use a screwdriver to open it, and remove the filter.

Take the filter outside to avoid stirring up dust inside your home. Next, vacuum the filter to remove debris from both sides.

Alternatively, you can soak it in a solution of vinegar and water. Rinse the filter with water using a faucet or garden hose to remove any remaining grime.

A clean filter can last for months, but it is best to clean your filter at least once a month or more frequently during seasons of high usage. Keeping your filter clean can also increase its MERV rating, which indicates the filtration quality it provides.

Change the Filter Frequency

A clean filter is a key factor in keeping your home comfortable. It helps keep dust, dirt, and debris from clogging the air conditioner, reducing energy usage.

The frequency of air filter replacement depends on several factors, including how often you use your system and your climate. Frequent use will result in a dirty filter, while seasonal or intermittent use requires fewer changes.

Another factor is the size of your home. Larger homes need frequent filters because they pump more air for each temperature change.

Regardless of the size, homeowners should change their air filters regularly to ensure their HVAC system runs efficiently. Changing the filter can also improve your home’s indoor air quality and decrease energy usage by 5-15% annually.

Turn Off Appliances

Unplugging appliances when you don’t need electricity is a simple way to save electricity. This is an easy, free way to cut your energy bills and help the environment simultaneously.

When you leave a device plugged in, even when it’s not using power, it draws what’s known as “phantom power.” It accounts for approximately 10 percent of your electric bill.

Phantom power is a real problem, especially in the kitchen, where small appliances like blenders, high-tech toasters, and coffee makers draw near-zero watts when not in use.

With a handheld electricity monitor, you can easily see which devices are drawing standby power and how much they use in kilowatt-hours (kWH). Then, unplug all the phantom-drawing ones. This will dramatically reduce your phantom load and energy-use bills! It’s also a great way to protect your appliances from surge damage, which can shorten their lifespan.