Summer is officially here, but there are some cost-effective ways to beat the heat and keep your home cool without paying a pretty penny.
Chad Piekarz is an energy consultant for NV Energy. He said the key to maintaining a low energy bill is controlling the thermostat.
"Not letting them run all day. Definitely use the temperature settings that are efficient for our particular climate zone. You don't want it to cool below 78, let it rise to at least 85 degrees when you're gone or when you're sleeping."
Piekarz said if you don't have a programmable thermostat, you can buy one and have it installed for less than $100.
There are other options to keep your home cool. Chad said indoor evaporative coolers or swamp coolers are great in this climate.
He said they provide a wet cool, which feels colder and uses significantly less power to run.
There's a few common sense ways to keep your home from heating up as well.
Make sure the blinds or shades are closed during the day and only open them and the windows when the sun has gone down.
Another thing most people don't think about it maintain on the AC system.
"It's sitting outside, they never see it. It's just suppose to cool your house, but it's important to have it professionally serviced at least once a year to make sure the coleus are clean, the filters are clean. The air filters get clogged in our dusty climate zone pretty bad, pretty quick."
For more information, go to www.nvenergy.com
Written by Chris Ciarlo
