Six Easy Ways To Hold Down Your Energy Costs While Arizona Heats Up

Summer’s energy costs in Southern Arizona can be excessively high. While you can’t control how hot Yuma gets from April through October, you can lower your demand for electricity without turning up the thermostat. Follow these tips:

  1. Programmable thermostat. If you’re not home during the day, a programmable thermostat can shave dollars off your energy bill. These thermostats have weekday and weekend settings that go a long way toward lowering your energy costs without sacrificing comfort when you’re at home.
  2. Better windows. Windows are a major source of heat in Yuma. Thermal or Energy Star certified windows keep your home substantially cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter, and reduce noise transmission all year long. If upgraded windows aren’t in your budget this spring, use shade screens on your east-, south- and west-facing windows to cut the heat gain.
  3. Seal air leaks. Check the joint between your windows and the exterior. Seal any cracks with exterior caulk. Replace old and worn weatherstripping around your exterior doors with new to lower air infiltration. Check your attic for gaps in insulation.
  4. Water heater. The water heater uses the most energy in your home after heating and air conditioning. Since the water is warm in Yuma during the summer, set back the thermostat on the water heater to 120 degrees F, which also lowers the amount of dissolved solids that build up inside the water heater. Hard-water deposits make the water more difficult to heat and reduce the life of this appliance.
  5. Daily activities. Use your oven less during the summer, opting for the microwave or stovetop cooking. Change your light bulbs to CFLs or LEDs. These bulbs lower energy costs by emitting less heat and using substantially less electricity than incandescent bulbs.
  6. Air conditioning service. Clean or change your air filters for the air handler. Dust lowers the life of your air handler, along with reducing its ability to cool. Professional maintenance for your air conditioner lowers energy costs by increasing is efficiency.

Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Co. in Yuma can service your air conditioner before summer’s heat arrives in full force. We’ve been serving the region since 1952.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about energy costs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Hansberger Refrigeration & Electric Co services the Yuma area in Arizona. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!