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The average American family spends about $2,000 a year on home energy bills. Most of these costs are incurred during the two most extreme seasons - winter and summer. In the wintertime, Americans must crank up their furnaces to heat their homes. In the summer months, they often have to run their air conditioning for a few hours each day. Here are a handful of money-saving tips for the warmer months. Keep The Thermostat High Yes, we know that room temperature is 68°F, but a few degrees can mean a big difference in your bill when the mercury soars. According to the experts, for every degree you lower the temperature in your home, you're raising your energy costs by about six percent. So, if you're comfortable with a slightly warmer home, set the thermostat to 74°F. It could save you hundreds of dollars over the summer. Install Ceiling Fans Not surprisingly, the cheapest option is often a simple, familiar one. Ceiling fans can make rooms feel up to 10 degrees cooler for a fraction of the energy costs of air conditioning. That is not to say that they're nearly as effective as the AC on scorching days. All they really do, after all, is move the air around. But, if the air is a bit cooler, as it tends to be at night, then homeowners can save by turning off the AC and switching on their ceiling fans. Draw The Blinds, Pull The Shades When the summer sun shines on windows for hours each day, it heats them up, and some of that heat makes its way inside the home. As internal temperatures rise, homeowners are forced to run their air conditioners longer and harder, which means they consume more energy, resulting in bigger bills. One easy way to keep your abode a bit cooler during the summer months is by drawing the curtains anytime you step out. It may also be a good idea to pull down the shades in rooms that are unoccupied or unused. Change AC Filters Of course, even the most frugal homeowner knows that he will have to run his air conditioning during the summer. But as it runs, another easy, effective way to save is to make certain the air filters are clean and unclogged. These filters catch dust, dirt, and allergens. This build-up of debris prevents them from entering the home. They should be cleaned or replaced every one to three months. Failing to do so will reduce the efficiency of your cooling system, which will result in higher energy bills. There are two basic types of filters -disposable and permanent. Because they do not require regular cleaning, most homeowners still use disposable versions. But if you want to save a bit of money, a permanent AC filter is your best option. Made of more durable materials, these devices will last for years with regular maintenance. Simply remove them when they get clogged up, and use either a vacuum cleaner or a garden hose to clean them. After it dries out, a permanent AC filter can be reinserted, and it will not require cleaning for at least a month. Follow this advice to save money without sacrificing comfort when the weather gets warm. To learn more about their options for air conditioning, King of Prussia residents should visit http://servicemarksolutions.com/cooling.php.
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