How do you lower your ac bill?

Question

I live in texas and it gets HOTT.. How do we lower our ac bill? Does it cost more to turn it off when the house cools down and turn it back on later? Or turn it off when we are gone? I keep it at 60. when its cooled down what temp should I keep it at?

Answer 1

I agree with the others--60 degrees is a mighty low setting anywhere!  If you bumped it up to 68 or even 70 you'd notice a drop in your bills. Here are some other ways to beat the heat, along with some information about the most efficient thermostat settings for an AC system:

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/...

Answer 2

60 is way too cold. You only want to take a few degrees off the outside temperature or you'll get sick from the temperature differential. Try 78. That's where I keep mine.

Run the furnace fan, even if the a/c is not on. It will circulate the air so you don't get as many pockets of hot air.

Leave the a/c on unless the weather is cool. It takes a lot of energy to cool down all the things in your house that heat up. (walls, floors, furniture, as well as the air)

Answer 3

turn up when away down to temp when home keep a clean filter get it serviced once a year  keep your condenser coil clean

Answer 4

60 where are you from Alaska? I live near Houston and I keep mine set on 78 or 80. Ceiling fans run them. If you don't have any have some installed. Take some close off. Not saying that to be suggestive. Close your blinds and strip down. No company coming tank top no bra and some nighty shorts. You have to be cold in there and covering with a blanket when you are just sitting.

Answer 5

The best way is to keep at it at a steady tempature find something thats comfortable and just leave it alone and as well as what the guy above me said to keep it clean and running properly.

Answer 6

Set the thermostat higher My AC is set between 76-8- in summer and 58 and 62 in winter

Answer 7

Wow .... A/C at 60.... now that is kinda cold!!!! don't ya think!!! I live in Wisconsin and won't even like that!!! (lol)  I keep mine around 73 when we are home, and it turns to 75 at night when we sleep.... (programmable thermostat) also If I were you I would get those solar roof vents that keep the house cooler as well, and tint the windows on the sunny side as well as be sure the attic has enough insulation as well!!!

Answer 8

if you keep it at 60 in texas, you're gonna have a high bill. try greening your house up like putting good insulation in your attic and getting dark screens for your windows. a powered attic vent will help too. i've also heard that turning your AC on and off doesn't help as it has to work twice as hard to get it tot he temp you want after it has been off for a period of time.