Rising temps and soaring inflation are adding up to a less-than-ideal outcome for homeowners looking to stay cool this summer: Higher utility bills. In fact, you may be paying as much as 16.2 percent more on your air conditioning bills in 2022 than you did in 2021. 

The good news? There are some things you can do to keep costs low this summer.

When Good Morning America ran a recent segment on soaring air conditioning costs, they checked in with Ciel team leader Scott Fischer for insights into the situation. Conserving energy and saving money happen to be two of the things we do best here at Ciel, and we were delighted to tag in. 

How can you deal with weaknesses in your home’s energy efficiency if you don’t know what they are? That’s why the best first step toward improving your home’s energy efficiency is performing an energy audit. 

A Ciel energy audit not only hones in on places where your home is losing or wasting energy, but also provides you with a specific list of recommendations for energy efficient upgrades and improvements. Whether you do them piecemeal or in one fell swoop, you CAN make a difference—both this summer and moving forward. 

Small Changes Add Up

While an energy audit is the most powerful and proactive move you can take as a homeowner, there are also some changes you can make RIGHT NOW to lower your bills—starting with turning your thermostat up 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day. With this one change, you can trim as much as 10 percent off your annual cooling costs.  

Other strategies for saving on AC include using a fan and closing windows and blinds during the day when temperatures spike.  Have window cooling units? Make the most of them by isolating specific areas of your home that you want to keep cool. 

Of course, cooling costs are just the start. The GMA segment also shares other strategies for conserving energy, including unplugging devices you aren’t using, air drying your dishes, and lowering the temperature on your hot water heater. 

With gas and grocery prices also skyrocketing, it pays to keep costs low where you can. Watch the GMA segment here to learn more about how to stay cool this summer—both when you’re relaxing at home….and when you’re opening your utility bills.