Summer’s here—and so is the record-breaking heat. If your electric bill is skyrocketing thanks to the hotter temperatures, there are a few things you can do to keep your budget in check. By following the tips below, you’ll be able to stay comfortable and happy all summer long:
Get your HVAC unit serviced: Your friendly HVAC contractor is standing by to help you through the worst of the summer heat—but the savviest customers will get their HVAC units serviced in the spring and fall, before summer heat and winter cold get too dramatic. Setting a twice-yearly appointment is the best way to ensure that your air conditioner is in good working order. If you need any repairs, you’ll know long before the triple-digit temperatures set in.
Close your windows and doors early: Generally, temperatures cool down at night and start heating up well before noon. Keep your windows open at night to let air circulate in your home, but plan to close them around 9 or 10 AM. You’ll get to air out your home and escape the worst of the heat.
Run large appliances at night: Your dishwasher, washing machine and other major appliances can give off a lot of heat. Try not to run them during the day, as that will heat up your home with no way for the hot air to escape. Instead, save them to run at night after the sun has gone down and you can open your windows.
Set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature: You might love a 68-degree home, but that’s often not feasible in the summer. Try setting your thermostat a little higher than you’d normally have it. That way, your air conditioner won’t work overtime—which is often futile in the worst of the heat.
Turn down your water heater: Most water heaters are set to 140 degrees. In the summer, turn the water temperature down to 120. It’s still hot enough to shower, do dishes and more, but you won’t spend extra money heating the water.
Don’t run the oven if possible: Summer is not the season to get into baking shows—at least, not if you want to keep your air conditioning bills low. Running the oven is a surefire way to heat up your already too-hot house. Try grilling instead. If you absolutely must run the oven, do it late at night or in the early morning, so you have time to air out your home.
Wash laundry in cold water: Washing laundry in cold water will save money on hot water—and in many cases, it’s better for your clothes, too. You can also take advantage of the heat and sunshine by drying your laundry outdoors.
Seal doors and windows: Finally, make sure you’re not paying to air condition the entire neighborhood. Seal up your doors and windows with weatherstripping so the cold air stays inside where it belongs.
When you need the services of an HVAC contractor, call PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air today to schedule an appointment.
Who doesn’t love saving money—especially when it helps you get much-needed energy-efficient home upgrades? APS and SRP are currently offering great incentives and rebates when you upgrade or repair your home’s heating and cooling systems. If you’re thinking about upgrading to energy-saving thermostats and HVAC systems in Mesa, AZ, now is a great time to do so.
Here are just a few of the incentives or rebates you may qualify for.
APS
Arizona Public Service (APS) offers several rebates when you upgrade or repair your home’s HVAC, thermostat and water heater:
AC upgrade rebate: Thinking about replacing your 10-year-old (or older) air conditioner? Save $200 with a rebate, and get an additional $250 if you have your air leaks sealed at the same time.
Cool control rebate: Do you have a cool control device? This device runs the fan for five minutes after your air conditioner’s compressor shuts off, which takes advantage of all the cold air in your ducts. You can get $70 back when you install one, and save up to 10 percent on your energy bill.
Duct repair and sealing rebate: If your ducts are leaking air, you’re leaking money. Get $250 when you have an HVAC contractor seal up your leaky ducts.
Insulation rebate: Get $250 back when you insulate your home, whether by installing completely new insulation or replacing old materials. Plus, you’ll save money on your energy bill.
Smart thermostat rebate: If you buy a smart thermostat on the APS marketplace, you’ll get a $30 rebate, plus an additional $75 if you sign up for their Cool Rewards program.
Water heater timer rebate: Add a water heater timer to take advantage of off-peak hours (and lower rates). You’ll get a $200 rebate in return.
SRP
SRP is a community-based not-for-profit water and energy company in Arizona:
Air conditioning rebates: You can save up to $1,125 when you install an energy-efficient AC, heat pump or mini-split system. Plus, they’ll save you even more on your energy bills.
Duct repair rebate: Get up to $400 back when you get your ductwork inspected and repaired by participating contractors.
Free shade trees: One of the best ways to keep your home cool is to plant shade trees on the sunniest sides—and you can get two for free when you sign up for a virtual workshop.
Home energy audit rebate: Energy audits help you learn where your home is energy efficient and where it needs help. Save up to $100 with this rebate.
Insulation rebate: Installing new insulation? You can save up to $600 with SRP’s insulation rebate.
Shade screen rebates: Get 80 cents per square foot in rebates when you install energy-saving shade screens on your windows.
Smart thermostat rebate: Get up to $100 when you use smart thermostats, plus an additional $25 per thermostat in subsequent years.
