How to Lower Utility Bills When the Temperature Rises
Energy Star-certified smart thermostats can cut heating and cooling costs by about $50 per year
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Thirteen percent of a home’s energy costs are for cooling, according to Energy Star. Here are three easy ways to rein in these expenses—even on hot summer days.
1. Turn your fan on. Instead of setting the air conditioner to 74° F or 76° F, set it to 78° F and let your ceiling fan do the rest. It costs little to run and can make the temperature feel as much as 4 degrees cooler, according to the Department of Energy.
2. Make simple changes that increase efficiency. Close curtains during the day to keep the sun from heating up the house, reduce oven use, repair leaky AC ductwork, and plug cracks around windows and doors.
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Editor's Note: This article also appeared in the July 2018 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.