Help Your AC (and your budget) by Giving it a Break at Night

With summer temperatures sizzling in the 90s, and summer humidity just as high, your AC system is running hard to keep your house cool and comfortable all day. At night you can give it a break. Set your AC thermostat a 2-4 degrees higher at bedtime. The sun is down so there is no direct natural heat hitting your windows. Then use an oscillating fan (either a floor model or table top model) to gently blow air over your bed to keep your body cool. These fans are inexpensive (as little as $19). If you already have a ceiling fan in your bedroom, use that. For every degree you raise the setting on your thermostat, you lower your energy consumption up to 5%. When you lighten the load for you AC system at night, you lessen the impact of its use during the day. It’s a win win for you and your system.