Summer is officially here! And that means all of us—from Indianapolis, Fishers and Geist to Anderson and McCordsville—are finally experiencing the season’s heat and humidity. With prices rising on everything else, no one can afford a higher energy bill too. So here are some tips to help lower the temperature and your expenses.

Summer Energy Saving Tips:

1. Is your air conditioner 10 to 15 years old or need substantial repairs? Consider replacing it with a new, high-efficiency system, which uses about half the energy of your old A/C.
2. Keep your drapes and blinds closed! Sun shining in through un-shaded windows can account for one-third of the load on your air conditioner.
3. Install the proper amount of insulation in exterior walls, roof and ceilings and cut your energy bills dramatically.
4. Turn up your air conditioner to the highest comfortable setting: 76 to 78 degrees when you’re home and 80 degrees when you’re away. Adjusting your thermostat up even a few degrees can significantly lower your cooling bill.
5. Clean and replace your A/C filter monthly or as needed.
6. Trim or remove any shrubs, trees or bushes around your outdoor air conditioner. Leave and limbs can interfere with the efficiency of your unit.
7. Turn off unnecessary lights in your house. Also, switch to energy-efficient fluorescent light bulbs, which give off less heat than traditional bulbs.
8. Resist the urge to open your windows on cool nights to give your air conditioner a break. Humidity is a significant drain on your cooling system. Keep your windows closed at night to keep humidity out of your house; otherwise your air conditioner has to work that much harder the next day when you turn it back on.
9. Also have an old refrigerator? If your fridge is 10 to 15 years old, it may be time to buy a new ENERGY STARÒ unit instead, which uses approximately one-third less energy.

Don’t sweat through another summer—or sweat getting your utility bills in the mail. Do you live in Marion County, Hamilton County or Madison County? Then give us a call if you need a new cooling system or if your current air conditioner needs inspected or repaired. Also, don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook!

Give your home an energy check up: Do windows close properly? Do you have enough insulation in your attic? Is it time to schedule a tune-up for your furnace or air conditioner?

Update your light bulbs: fluorescent lights—particularly compact fluorescent bulbs—use only 25 percent of the energy consumed by traditional incandescent light bulbs. They also last up to ten times longer too! Fluorescent light bulbs may cost more, but they save you considerably more in the future.

Send your water heater on vacation: Did you know most water heaters have a “vacation” setting? So when you’re out of town, switch the setting. It will keep the water warm, but not use as much energy as keeping a tank full of piping hot water.

Unplug rarely used appliances: Cell phone chargers, laptops, TVs, stereos, all use energy—even when they’re turned off. Try using a power strip to group these electronics. Then, one flick and they’re all off.

Give your clothes the cold shoulder: It takes a lot of energy to heat water, so wash clothes in cold instead. There are even detergents made specifically for washing in cold.

Get with the program: Spring can be unpredictable in Marion County, Hamilton County and Madison County. You’ll be tempted to adjust your thermostat every time the mercury drops or rises. Don’t—invest in a programmable thermostat to save money.

Be a Star: Of course, we’re talking about choosing Energy Star appliances. If you’re in the market for a new appliance, such as a heating or cooling system, let us know. We’d be happy to do a Home Comfort Analysis to help you choose the perfect system for your home. We’ll analyze the size of your home, and factor in windows, high ceilings, insulation and more.

We hope this helps you save a little green this spring and summer. Have even more energy-saving tips to share? “Like” us on Facebook and tell us how you save energy around your home.

Did you know that without regular maintenance, your air conditioner can lose up to 5 percent of its original efficiency each year you use it? So, detecting possible problems before they arise may help you avoid being stuck in the sweltering summer months without A/C. It can also save on emergency repair bills and avoid potentially costly repairs in the future.

Here are a few signs that it may be time to service your home’s air conditioner:

• Is your A/C system not cooling your house as quickly and effectively as it once did?
• Do you notice that your home seems more humid?
• Have you had considerable repair costs on your system within the past two years?
• Is your air conditioner more than 10 years old?

If it’s time for a new air conditioning unit, make sure you take advantage of the numerous incentives that exist for new, energy-efficient units. Your service provider should be able to assist you with the unit that best fits your home—and your budget. In Marion County, Hamilton County and Madison County, a professional tune-up typically averages $70-$125. Your air conditioning system should be inspected, cleaned and tuned by an HVAC professional annually.

To keep your system running its best, remember to check your filter at least once a month. A clogged filter will make your system work harder to supply the same amount of cool air. This is very important during the summer months, when dust and allergens are more common. When choosing a filter for your system, pleated filters tend to be best in preventing dust and dirt from circulating back into your home.

Look forward to summer—knowing that your home’s A/C unit is ready to help you beat the heat.  Be sure to check “like” us on Facebook for the latest air conditioner tune up specials and great deals.