It's getting warmer and warmer out there and many of us have started to run our air conditioners to keep cool. But in order to get the most out of them, while still saving some green, there's some things we should all consider before cranking on the a.c.
If you're like me, you've already started using your air conditioner to keep cool. But to make sure you're getting the most out of your unit, there's some easy things you can do to save some green and keep cool.
First, check your filters. chances are you can clean them under a faucet. but if you need to buy a new one, they only range from two to ten dollars at Lowe's, but they're very important.
Bill Balliet Lowe's Store Manager: "Because they're outside and they're drawing air they have a habit of pulling in a lot of dust. So keep them clean kinda like your car radiator. You get a lot more efficiency."
Something else to avoid is cranking down your thermostat real low. Chances are if you do that, you can freeze your pipes and your air conditioner won't work as well.
We all want to spend less, but something to consider is the size of the room the unit will be in.
Balliet: "Buy the right size to fit your room. Don't look at the smallest one, don't look at the cheapest, look at the size of your room and the b.t.u.'s otherwise your unit's gonna over work."
And if you have a central heating and air system, having it checked out can actually save you money year long.
Shannon Johnson, Service Manager, D&S Boiler Inc.: "Having a service tech come out and check your air conditioner once a year can save you a pretty good percentage of your electrical bill every year. You're cooling bill as well as your heating bill."
If you do have a central air unit, it's also important for you to check those filters. this time of year, once a month is your best bet. it's also best to keep your thermostat at one temperature through out the day.
Follow these tips, and you'll stay plenty cool while keeping your bill down as well.