Lower your energy bills with these AC efficiency tips

JOPLIN, Mo. — While temperatures have been slightly lower this week than in the past, some people may be still running their air conditioning units all day which can get costly.

The Better Business Bureau has some tips to try and lower those costs as much as possible.

According to the BBB, AC units run up a lot of energy, roughly six percent of the nation’s electricity use which in total costs homeowners a combined amount of 29 billion dollars each year.

BBB officials recommend making sure your home is insulated properly and making sure your units are installed correctly.

It’s also a good idea to keep your air conditioner filters clean.

The U.S. Department of Energy says that by doing so can help save five to 15 percent on your electricity bill.

It’s also not a bad idea to turn on those ceiling fans as they are known to use less energy than running your AC.

“Well, we’re all on a budget. We’re all trying to make sure that we can be smart with our money. So doing things to help keep those utility bills manageable during the summer can go a long way with helping to stretch our household budget,” said Pamela Hernandez, BBB Springfield Regional Director.

Hernandez adds, that it also can be beneficial to switch over to a high-efficiency unit.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, doing so can help reduce energy use by 20 to 50 percent.

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