Tips for using air conditioner to stay cool and save electricity on hot days

American technology expert Alina Bradford, with nearly 20 years of experience, shares how to stay cool in hot weather without skyrocketing electricity bills.

Here are some tips to keep your home as comfortable as possible while minimizing your energy use.

1. Seal all refrigerant leaks

Cracks and gaps from windows and doors allow air to get in and out. Check from door to window, and the floor at the base of the wall.

To check, stand outside the room and run your hand around the windows and doors. Can you feel cold air escaping? If so, seal around leaky windows and add insulation around doors.

There are simple ways to use the air conditioner to stay cool without spending a lot of electricity, especially during the hot season.

2. Check the location of the thermostat

The location of your thermostat can play a big role in how well your air conditioner works. Be aware that if you place your thermostat on the wall next to a hot window, your air conditioner will turn on more often than necessary.

3. Close the curtains

During the hottest part of the day, close your blinds to keep out the sun. This can also help insulate your windows, keeping cold air out.

4. Use additional ceiling fans

Using a ceiling fan can make a room feel cooler enough to turn up the air conditioner setting by 4 degrees without heating up the room. Make sure the fan spins counterclockwise in the summer to get the most benefit, according to CNET.

5. Increase the set temperature

To save the most money, always set your air conditioner to the highest temperature you can tolerate without feeling hot.

Air conditioners are the hardest working appliances during the hot months, so don't forget to schedule air conditioner maintenance to keep them running efficiently.

6. Regular air conditioner maintenance

Air conditioners are the hardest working appliances during the hot months, so don't forget to schedule air conditioner maintenance to keep them running efficiently.

7. Plant shade trees around the house

This can make a big difference over time. By reducing the amount of sunlight coming through your windows, you may not need to set your air conditioning as low and still stay cool.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, planting trees to shade your home can increase the efficiency of your air conditioner by up to 10%, according to the U.S. Residential Services website ars.com.

8. Set the timer at night

All air conditioners have a timer setting. So it is best to set the timer before going to bed. When you do this, the air conditioner will automatically turn off when it gets cooler in the middle of the night. This will help reduce the overuse of the air conditioner and cut down on your electricity bill significantly.

9. Turn off the power button when not in use

Most people usually turn off the air conditioner with the remote control, without turning off the power button. But the machine still consumes the same amount of electricity as a light bulb when in "idle" mode, thus affecting the monthly bill, according to CNET.

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