Here's How To Lower Air-Conditioning Costs: NOVEC

MANASSAS, VA — Seeing as how we're experiencing one of the area's more intense heat waves in years, the Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative has tips for lowering air-conditioning costs.

"Electric bills rise in summer as air conditioners use more energy to cool spaces," said Marlon Gilbert, a NOVEC energy services specialist, in a release. "NOVEC wants to help customers control costs so their electric bills won't spike as heat and humidity increase."

To wit:

• Turn the air-conditioner thermostat up to 75-78 degrees. Run ceiling and floor fans in occupiedrooms to help room occupants feel cooler. Keeping fans on in unoccupied rooms only increases electric bills. Run ceiling fans in the forward, counter-clockwise direction to force air down and provide a wind-chill effect.
• Use fans instead of air conditioning. If not running an air conditioner, run a whole-house or window fan upstairs with windows open on the main floor. Make sure a window fan pushes air outside instead of pulling hot air inside.
• Replace air-conditioner filters regularly. Follow manufacturers' instructions. Write the installation date on the filter.
• Keep the area around the outdoor air-conditioner unit free of overgrown plants and anything that could hinder the unit's efficiency.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying a window air conditioner, ceiling fan, and light bulbs. Save 6% by shopping during Virginia's sales tax holiday Aug. 2-4.
• Block solar heat by closing window treatments during the day on sunny sides of the house. Layer treatments — close curtains over blinds or shades. Window awnings work best since they repel solar rays before rays reach windows.
• Close storm windows and lock windows when using air conditioning. If need be, apply caulk and/or weatherstripping around windows and doors to keep hot air from infiltrating inside.
• Close a fireplace flue damper and glass doors. Hot air rises, but some hot outdoor air can come down an open chimney and some cooled indoor air can escape up it.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED bulbs. Old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs produce only 10% light and a whopping 90% heat. LED bulbs produce almost no heat, use 80% less energy than incandescents, and last much longer.
• Cook with a microwave oven instead of a regular oven or grill outdoors to reduce heat in the kitchen.