How to Lower Your Summer Electric Bill

Consider a programmable thermostat to help manage your cooling system, especially If you’re away from home during the day. You can set it at a higher temperature while you’re gone and have it go lower when you return. If you opt for a “smart” version that’s connected to the internet, you can control it remotely from your mobile phone. Utilities may offer incentives or discounts to consumers who install the thermostats.

Some utilities pay customers who register their smart thermostats and participate in energy-saving events during times of heavy demand. Arizona Public Service pays customers, via credits on their bill, if they allow the utility to raise their smart thermostat by up to four degrees during “Cool Rewards” events over the summer. The program is limited to 20 events per summer, lasting up to three hours each.

If your cooling system is aging, consider investing in a replacement because newer models are much more efficient, Mr. Trethewey said. There are more options now, he said, like new heat pump systems that use “inverter” technology to cool your home in summer (and heat it in the winter). “It’s like cruise control,” he said. Some states and utilities, including New York, offer financial incentives for installing heat pumps.

New cooling systems can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the type of unit, the size of the home and other variables. Expect to pay $8,000 to $12,000, said Donald Brandt, a fellow at ASHRAE, a group for heating, refrigeration and air-conditioning professionals.

Residential air-conditioning units can last about 20 years, if they have been properly maintained, Mr. Brandt said.

Live in an apartment? Look for a window air-conditioner that meets federal Energy Star standards. Units are typically available for a few hundred dollars up to $1,000, depending on the size needed.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/22/business/air-conditioner-electricity-bill.html