Summers in North Carolina are hot and humid, extending well into September. Unfortunately, cranking up your residential HVAC system’s cooling power can result in high utility bills. Luckily, there are practical and affordable steps you can take to save money.

How to Cut Cooling Costs in the Summer

1. Clean the Vents

An air conditioner relies on vents to blow cooled air into different rooms. If these vents are clogged with dust, pollen, and dirt, the cool air won’t get to its intended destination efficiently.

Use compressed air to clean all vents every two weeks. Doing so also improves indoor air quality, reducing respiratory symptoms of asthma and allergies.

2. Block the Sun

Ultraviolet (UV) rays can heat a room. Block out sunlight with window treatments, closing blinds and drapes when the sun is at its peak from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

You can also block the sun with landscaping, planting trees to create shade around the house.

3. Turn on the Fan

Your residential HVAC system pumps out cold air and gradually reduces the temperature of a room. A ceiling fan circulates that air throughout the space, cooling it down more quickly. This way, the AC can cycle off sooner.

In shaded rooms that don’t get heated by the sun, you may choose to rely solely on a fan on milder days.

4. Get a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat allows homeowners to control exactly when the HVAC system runs. For example, you can set it to turn off automatically when you leave for work, minimizing expenses.

Program the device to switch on about an hour before you arrive home so you return to a cool interior.

To lower your utility bills further, get HVAC system maintenance from Dilling Heating & Cooling. They’ve served Gaston County, NC, with residential HVAC services since 1955. Their knowledgeable technicians provide professional and prompt service, addressing customer concerns quickly. They know how uncomfortable malfunctioning cooling units can make a home, so they strive to provide same-day service. View their full list of offerings online, or call (704) 739-3446 for a quote.