Energy Savings Tips for Air Conditioning

Crook Electric Energy Tip of the Week

Week of June 29 - July 5, 2009

Energy Savings Tips for Air Conditioning

• Keep lights off when rooms are not in use. Lights generate heat that makes your air conditioner run more.

• Try to wash and dry clothes, iron and cook in the morning or later in the evening.

• Use microwave ovens, which produce much less heat than stoves for cooking.

• Use awnings, curtains, or blinds to keep out direct sunlight.

• Eliminate activities in the afternoon that require a great deal of in and out through the doors of your home. This allows cool air to escape and hot air to ener the home.

• Setting the temperature a little higher, around 78-80 degrees F, will save you 6 to 8 percent of your cooling costs for each degree above 78, and most people will be comfortable.

• Use a ceiling fan or portable fan to supplement your air conditioning. A fan can make you feel three to four degrees cooler so you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher and save on cooling costs.

• Turn off the air conditioning or set the thermostat up a few degrees when you leave home.

• Be sure your air conditioner is not blocked. A free flowing air conditioner operates most efficiently. Be sure the return air grill inside your house is not blocked by furniture or other items. Filters should be checked monthly.

• When air conditioning is on, keep doors and windows closed, turn off kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans in the house.