Keep Cool & Carry On With More Money in Your Wallet!

Our 8 Cooling Tricks Help Cut Costs

May is a reminder that summer will be here soon. Since Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff to summer, many homeowners are starting to think about their summer vacation plans. We know the team at Miller’s is! But with vacation comes extra costs. And with a year that’s put inflation at an all-time high, cutting costs and staying on budget has become a struggle for many homeowners. Well, it’s Miller’s to the rescue! After all, we’re not just the area’s top choice for commercial AC installs. We’re also your residential HVAC expert!

To help you put extra money toward that vacation fund and spend less money on your home energy bill, we’re sharing creative ways you can save on cooling costs. Ready to put some extra savings toward a well-deserved vacation? Here are seven simple tips.

1. Keep things clean. From return vents to air filters, a good tactic for cutting costs is to elevate your cleaning regimen! Vacuum return vents, remove dust bunnies and, above all else, clean or replace those air filters. Fresh air filters and clean vents help your system run more efficiently, which, in turn, keeps bills lower.
   
2. Fine-tune that ceiling fan. Utilizing ceiling fans is another great way to save on costs—especially on days that don’t require heavy air conditioning use. Be sure your fan is in top working condition and moving in a counterclockwise direction to get the best breeze possible.
   
3. Use the grill. Cooking indoors during the summer months causes the house to heat up. That extra heat results in your AC working much harder, which increases cooling costs. Summer is the perfect time to use the grill and help out your AC system!
   
4. Invest in tinted window films. Do you have a lot of windows in your home? Tinted window films that block out heat rays have become a great way to keep cool. Less sunlight to heat up your space puts less pressure on your cooling system and more money in your wallet.
   
5. Check in with your thermostat. Set your thermostat at a temperature that is comfortable without chilling out too much. In fact, every degree you lower your thermostat can save roughly 6 percent on your energy costs.
   
6. Close doors and lock windows. Be sure windows are locked and doors are closed. You don’t want to lose money on cooling the outdoors. When your AC is running, shut windows to keep cool air indoors and warm air outside!
   
7. Run appliances after hours. If you need to run the dishwasher or you’re doing laundry, run those appliances in the evening or early morning. Since temperatures are lower at these times, you’ll benefit from less heat and less energy used.
   
8. Switch your lightbulbs. If you haven’t made the switch yet to LED lightbulbs, now’s the time. LED bulbs give off much less heat than fluorescent and incandescent bulbs. Even better, they last longer. Switching lightbulbs and simply turning lights off when not in use are easy ways to reduce indoor heat.

Bonus Tip: Call Miller’s for an AC Tune-Up!

Once you’ve checked out our list of cool tricks and savings, your final task is to call the professionals at Miller’s Heating and Air Conditioning for an AC tune-up. Our regular checkups help prevent little AC problems from turning into huge disasters and will ensure your system is running at top efficiency so you can continue to enjoy those energy savings. For all of your heating, cooling and electrical service needs, including generator installation in your Virginia Beach home, call the team at Miller’s today!