{"id":1569,"date":"2018-02-26T11:28:51","date_gmt":"2018-02-26T18:28:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/brucesac.com\/?p=1569"},"modified":"2018-02-26T11:28:51","modified_gmt":"2018-02-26T18:28:51","slug":"cool-customer-lower-air-conditioning-bill-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brucesac.com\/blog\/air-conditioning\/cool-customer-lower-air-conditioning-bill-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Are You A Cool Customer? How to Lower Your Air Conditioning Bill This Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Are you a cool customer? When the delightful, shirt sleeves weather of spring gives way to the blistering heatwaves of summer, do you get a little hot under the collar? Does steam come out your ears when you review your utility bill? Air conditioning makes the summer months bearable in the greater Phoenix area. However, paying those electric bills can be a prickly matter, about as much fun as a jumping cholla. <\/p>\n

Arizonans love their air conditioning and are happy to share with you their personal tips. How they use it, when they use it, where they set their thermostat, what kind of thermostat they choose to use are all very personal choices. There\u2019s a familiar phrase in the Lone Star State \u2013 \u201cDon\u2019t mess with Texas\u201d. In AZ, it\u2019s \u201cDon\u2019t you dare touch my AC.\u201d Here are some ways to raise your AC IQ and a few cost-cutting air conditioning tips to lower your utility bill.<\/p>\n

Reduce You Air Conditioning Bill<\/h2>\n

If you think of yourself as the CEO of your home, then you know you are constantly making decisions to allocate family resources for one thing or another. Unless you have an unlimited budget, every choice you make has a ramification, and this is especially true with your air conditioning. As soon as you lower the temperature setting, you\u2019re going to raise your electric bill. The average Phoenix electric bill is five percent higher than in other regions of the United States, and air conditioning accounts for half the cost. Lowering your bill a few percent could mean extra money for other family priorities, like a family vacation! What steps can you take to allow you to live in comfort and not see red at the end of the month?<\/p>\n

Combat the Rays<\/h2>\n

Keep the drapes and blinds closed and make sure the fireplace damper is shut. You don\u2019t want cool air going up the chimney. Install ceiling fans in every room. Kids often need frequent reminders to keep the doors closed and to not play with the thermostat.<\/p>\n

Tips on Thermostats<\/h2>\n

Setting the thermostat at or above 78 degrees and well above 80 degrees when you aren\u2019t home will help cut costs. Set your fan to AUTO, and do not run the fan motor all day as this will use a lot of power.
\nConsider installing a new programmable thermostat which will increase your ability to control your environment and allow you to make changes through the app on your phone, whether you are home or not. Products such as Nest provide you with helpful data about your home cooling system, so you are better able to track what\u2019s working for you.<\/p>\n

Schedule an AC Home Inspection with a Professional<\/h2>\n

In spring, while the temperatures are cool, schedule a pre-summer air conditioning inspection to check the outdoor unit and your entire AC system. What happens during an AC maintenance check? <\/p>\n