When Texas turns up the thermostat, so does your electric bill—unless you know a few secrets. At Accu-Temp Air Conditioning & Heating, we help homeowners across Central Texas stay cool without breaking the bank. Here’s our guide to slashing your A/C costs while keeping your home the chillest spot in the neighborhood.
Smart Thermostat Moves
If you’re still nudging a manual dial, your A/C is probably working harder—and costing you more—than necessary. Set your thermostat to 75°F or higher while you’re home and bump it up to 78°F or higher when you’re away. Every degree below 78°F can raise your energy use by up to 8%. Simply put: small changes, big savings!
For even more control, consider a smart thermostat. These clever devices let you program temperature schedules and make changes from your phone. They automatically adjust for your routines, so you aren’t cooling an empty house or freezing yourself at night. Plus, they’re great for avoiding those “Oops, I left it at 72°F all weekend!” moments.
Seal Out the Heat – and the Costs
A lot of the cool air you’re paying for could be sneaking outside through tiny gaps. Hot Texan air finds every little crack. Here’s how you can stop it:
- Weather stripping & caulk: Check around doors and windows for drafts and seal them up.
- Attic & wall insulation: Insulation keeps cool air in and hot air out. Even small upgrades are felt on sweltering afternoons.
- Pro duct care: Leaky ducts can dump cold air into your attic instead of your living room. Periodic inspection keeps your cooling on track (and your bills lower).
- Window wisdom: Draw your curtains or blinds in peak sunlight. It’s surprisingly effective at lightening your A/C’s workload.
Use Fans to Level Up Comfort
Ceiling fans are summertime superheroes. They don’t actually lower the temperature, but they work wonders by circulating air and making you feel cooler. This means you can turn up the thermostat by a couple of degrees without feeling stuffy.
Pro tip: Make sure your fans are spinning counterclockwise in summer mode. This pushes air down for a breezier effect. And don’t forget to switch them off when you leave a room—fans cool people, not air!
If you have box fans or floor fans, experiment with placing them near shaded windows or along your “coolest wall” to boost natural airflow.
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Maintenance: The Cool Approach to Savings
A well-maintained system runs better, lasts longer, and costs less to operate. Here’s what you should be doing regularly:
- Change air filters: Every 1-3 months (or more often with pets). Clogged filters make your unit work overtime and push up your bills.
- Clear the outdoor unit: Remove weeds, grass, and any debris. Unblocked airflow = maximum efficiency.
- Coil cleaning: Cleaner coils mean cooler air. You can rinse outside coils with a gentle hose, but indoor coil cleaning is best left to the pros.
- Annual tune-ups: Just like your car, your A/C should be checked by an expert every year. Our team can spot tiny problems before they turn into expensive melt-downs.
Control Humidity for Ultimate Comfort
Texas isn’t just hot—it’s humid. High humidity can make 78°F feel more like 88°F. Run your A/C in “auto” mode (not “on”), so it properly removes moisture as it cools. Sometimes, adding a standalone dehumidifier will make your house feel cooler, even at higher thermostat settings.
Also: Avoid closing A/C vents in unused rooms if you have central air. That can mess up the pressure in your ducts, causing leaks and uneven cooling. But, if you’re using a window or portable unit, feel free to close doors and focus your cool air where it counts.
Modern Upgrades: Sometimes, Newer is Cheaper
If your A/C is more than 10-15 years old, it may be running at half the efficiency of today’s top models. Upgrading to a modern, high-efficiency system could slash your summer cooling costs by up to 40%. While a new system is an investment, the savings on your energy bill and the increase in home comfort are hard to beat. Plus, modern units are quieter and more eco-friendly too.
Not ready for a full replacement? Ask us about system tune-ups or check out options for energy-smart thermostats.
Shade and Landscaping: Nature Can Help Too
Don’t overlook your yard! Shading your A/C condenser unit with a tree or tall shrubs can make it up to 10% more efficient. Just make sure there’s still plenty of airflow around the unit. Similarly, planting shade trees on the south and west sides of your home can block afternoon sun and keep your house cooler.
Quick Comfort Recap
Here’s a quick checklist for cutting your A/C bills without sweating it out:
- Set your thermostat to 75°F when home, 78°F when away
- Use a programmable/smart thermostat
- Seal drafts and insulate
- Use ceiling (or other) fans smartly
- Maintain your A/C (change filters, clear unit, annual tune-ups)
- Control humidity
- Consider system upgrades if your unit is old
- Use natural shade where you can
Every little bit helps. Put a few of these expert strategies to work, and you could see lower bills as soon as your next statement—without sacrificing a single degree of comfort.
Need help optimizing your setup or want a free estimate on an energy-efficient upgrade? Contact Accu-Temp Air Conditioning & Heating today! We’ll help keep your home—and your wallet—happy all summer long.