Top 5 Ways to Cut Back on Air Conditioning

This story was originally published on AOL on June 27, 2008.

SUMMER TEMPERATURES ARE on the rise — and your electric bill isn't far behind.

Cranking up the air conditioning may help you stay cool, but you can expect some chilling summer energy bills as a result. A homeowner in Arizona pays roughly $212 just to run one standard room air conditioner for 1,000 hours over the course of a summer (that's about 11 hours a day). For central air, they pay an estimated $484, according to the government's Energy Star program.

Thanks to rising prices for the raw materials used to produce electricity — oil, coal and natural gas — those estimates might actually be low, says Ronnie Kweller, a spokeswoman for the Alliance to Save Energy, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that promotes energy efficiency. The group recently raised its projection for annual electricity costs to $2,350 from $2,200 per household. Heating and cooling the home account for half of that amount, or about $1,200 a year. "If you can cut even 10% from your bill, that's hundreds of dollars saved," says Kweller.

Here's how to reduce your air-conditioning use — and your electricity bills — this summer without breaking a sweat:

1) Reduce your home's heat load

Eliminate heat-generating sources inside your home and you may not need to rely on the air conditioner as much, says Jennifer Thorne Amann, a senior associate at American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Close the shades on windows that get a lot of direct sunlight, and refrain from running appliances that generate heat, such as the oven, dishwasher or clothes dryer, during the hottest parts of the day. And make sure to switch your incandescent light bulbs to energy-efficient compact fluorescent ones. "Every incandescent bulb in your house is a little extra heater," says Amman. "CFLs use less energy and release less heat." Take these steps and you can set the thermostat two degrees warmer, saving about $4 a month.

Read our story for other budget-saving tips.

2) Make sure your unit is in top shape

"Even if you have the most efficient [air-conditioning] system, if it's not operating the way it should, you're wasting energy," says Maria Vargas, a spokeswoman for the government's Energy Star program. Problems like a worn-out filter or unsealed duct won't keep your A/C from working, but they could make the unit as much as 20% less efficient. Typically, an inspection from a licensed contractor costs about $50, an expense you should easily recoup in energy savings by Labor Day. (A unit operating back at peak efficiency again could cut as much as $20 a month from your electricity bill.) On your own, clean or replace air filters at least once a month. "That cuts down how hard the fan has to work to move air throughout your home," explains Vargas.

Read our story for more tips on reducing your electricity bill.