Install a programmable thermostat.
During the summer, program it to 78-80
degrees when you are home. Program it to
increase temperature about 5 degrees while
you’re gone and to return to a comfortable
temperature shortly before you return home.
Both SRP and APS have ‘time-of-use’ plans in
which electricity costs more during certain
hours. Program your thermostat to move to a
higher but comfortable temperature during
those high-peak hours. For every degree you
set your thermostat above 80 degrees, you
can save approximately 2-3% on cooling
costs.
Have Regular Maintenance.
Have your cooling or AC system serviced by a
qualified contractor at least once a year to
ensure the system is operating at peak
efficiency.
Change your air filters (or clean your
permanent filters) at least once a month.
Set the fan on your thermostat to AUTO
rather than the ON setting. This allows the fan to turn off when the
system is not cooling. According to SRP,
Using "Auto," rather than "On," can save you up to
$15-25 each month on your energy costs.
Leave at least 90% of your air vents
open.
People sometimes think it will save energy
to close vents in rooms not being occupied.
The opposite is true. Closing too many vents
in your home can reduce the effectiveness of
your cooling system.
Replace your cooling system with a more
efficient model.
The efficiency of heat pumps and air
conditioners is indicated by the Seasonal
Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). According to
SRP, replacing a 10- to 15-year-old unit
with a properly sized new 13 SEER system can
save you as much as 40-45% on your air
conditioning bill.
Replace light bulbs with compact
fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. According to APS, if you change out five
of your most frequently used bulbs, say
100-watt incandescents to 25-watt CFLs, you
can expect to realize more than $46 in
annual electricity savings.
Maintenance Tips
Install a programmable thermostat.Have Regular Maintenance.Change your air filters (or clean your permanent filters) at least once a month.Set the fan on your thermostat to AUTO rather than the ON setting. Leave at least 90% of your air vents open.Replace your cooling system with a more efficient model.Replace light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs.
According to APS, if you change out five
of your most frequently used bulbs, say
100-watt incandescents to 25-watt CFLs, you
can expect to realize more than $46 in
annual electricity savings.