Summer has arrived and as the temperatures begin to soar, many consumers can expect their electric bill to do the same. As the hot weather sets in, air conditioners will be working on full blast effectively sending a reasonable electric bill through the ceiling. While there are many ways to reduce your electricity usage, from upgrading to energy conserving appliances to selecting premium grade windows, these are not options that a cash-strapped consumer can readily use. There are some easy and affordable ways to reduce your summer energy bill without having to shell out big bucks on home upgrades. Here is a look at how consumers on a budget can lower their high summer electric bill. SEE: 6 Ways To Save On Your Utility Bill Use Heavy Drapes on WindowsA method that is frequently used to keep heat in during the winter time, can also effectively keep the chill from the air conditioner in the house during the warm summer months. Hanging heavy drapes in front of windows will help keep the house cool by not letting the glaring sun warm up the house.

Depending on how many windows you have in your house, installing heavy drapes can be an effective way of keeping your house cool. If buying drapes for all of the windows in your home is too expensive, you could opt to hang them in the areas of your house that get the most sun exposure. Use Energy Saver Option on Air ConditionerWhen you are not at home, use the energy saver option on your air conditioner rather than turning it off. The energy saver will keep your house at a cool temperature. If you turn off your air conditioner the temperature in your house will rise, and when you turn the unit back on it will need to work harder to cool your house down again, in turn rising your electric bill. Additionally, if your air conditioner has seen better days, it is likely that it is not as energy efficient as some of the newer models on shelves today. If money allows, it may be wise to upgrade your air conditioning unit before next summer arrives. SEE: Save Money On Summer Bills Recall the Fire Safety Warning "Heat Rises"As children, we are taught that heat rises.

If you have an air conditioning unit running on the first floor of your home, you could help keep your house cooler by shutting all of the doors on the second floor. The less space your air conditioner needs to cool, the quicker and easier it will do so. home ac unit not runningBy stopping the airflow to certain areas of your house, you are helping to reduce your electric bill in a big way.window ac units best Ceiling and Window Fans Go a Long WayWhen you're trying to save money on your electric bill during the summer, it is wise to limit the use of the air conditioner to extremely hot days. how often should i replace my ac unitFortunately, ceiling fans and window fans do not use nearly as much electricity as an air conditioning unit does.

Well placed fans can keep cool air circulating in the house, and keep your home from feeling like a sauna. If you do not already have them installed in your home, consider purchasing ceiling fan units. Install a unit in each of the bedrooms to keep air circulating as you sleep. Lights off During the Day TimeA simple way to conserve energy and lower your electric bill is to turn off all of the lights during the day. If the weather permits, open the windows and allow natural light to shine in, instead of keeping artificial lights on all day long. This move will help reduce your electric bill significantly by reducing your electric use during the day, and keeping your home cool in case you need to turn on your air conditioner later. The Bottom LineSaving money on your electric bill is easy when you know where to make cuts. There are some simple and cost-effective ways to reduce your energy use during the summer months. You can drastically reduce your energy bill during the hot summer months by limiting your air conditioner use, installing thermal drapes and using fans to maximize the ventilation in your home.

A high electric bill can be a source of great stress for many struggling consumers. This summer, don't fret over a costly energy bill and find ways to reduce your bill instead. SEE: The Hidden Costs of Home OwnershipListen, air conditioning systems are meant to keep the home or office cool from within. As the air conditioner gives off cool air, it moves towards the warm areas. Eventually the entire area becomes cool.However, this process takes some time. There are many individuals who believe that they can cool an area by using alternative techniques.They turn on the air conditioner and open the windows to cool the room faster. One may come across this application of air conditioners quite often. There are many people who believe that this method is efficient. The theory behind leaving the windows open is that the air conditioner will cool the room and the windows will let in fresh air. But this cannot be further away from the truth.It is highly recommended that you close all windows and doors when the air conditioner is turned on.

This will keep the cool air inside the room and keep the temperature moderate. In addition to cooling efficiency, leaving the windows open will also put stress on the air conditioner. This is because the open windows let warm air inside. This extra stress may cause the air conditioner to become faulty prematurely.When it is said that the room should be leak-proof, it means that warm air from the outside shouldn't come in.Air conditioners have an automatic system. When you set the cooling level to a specific temperature, the air conditioner starts giving off cool air. The temperature monitor or thermostat in the AC constantly keeps a check on the room temperature. As soon as the room temperature is up to the level you pre-entered, the AC will turn itself off. As soon as the temperature drops, it will turn on again. This is a feature designed to optimize the AC's performance while providing the cooling you desire. When the temperature in the room reaches the preset level, the AC turns off to make sure that the room is not getting too cold.

This keeps the users comfortable. Otherwise, the AC would make the room uncomfortably cold. All air conditioners, regardless of the type, have this feature. You can enter a temperature level and the unit will maintain it.Another reason the AC is designed in a way that it turns off automatically is to conserve power. If an air conditioning unit does not turn off, it will work constantly and spike up your electricity bill.If the air conditioner works excessively:This is why you should make sure that the room is completely sealed.All air conditioners are rated to cool a specific space. This rating is directly related to the cooling capacity of the AC. If you install the AC in a larger room, it will work harder and use more electricity. In addition, the cooling will also be ineffective. The same concept applies when the windows are left open. In order to make sure that you make the most of your investment, you have to minimize the stress placed on it. You also have to make sure that heat does not enter the room.

At the same time, you have to make sure that the cool air does not leak.The best practice is to get a slightly larger cooling rating AC for a smaller room. This will provide efficient cooling and also keep your energy costs down. For instance, if an air conditioner is rated to cool a room which is 125 sq. ft in size, you should use it in a smaller room. This means that the AC is larger than the square footage needs. Not only will it cool the room faster, it will keep it at a moderate temperature. However, if done improperly by getting an AC with a capacity that is far too large for your room, you will have spent unnecessary money.A large air conditioner will not have to work hard to cool a small room. This way you will be able to keep your maintenance costs low. In addition, since the air conditioner will easily maintain a steady temperature in the room, it will only turn on once in a while. The rest of the time, it will be on standby, monitoring the room for a rise in temperature. This will keep you electricity costs low as well.

There are many ways you can keep a room cool. Some of these tips are quite basic and do not require much effort. However, if those tips do not work, you should opt for a more advanced method. Let's look at ways you can keep your room cool:This is one thing you should do on a regular basis. The times of the day when it gets particularly hot, you should draw the curtains or drop the blinds. This will keep the sunlight away from your room. When sunlight does not hit the room, it will remain cool. However, this will only work for areas where the temperature does not spike. Areas that are warmer require a different approach.Protecting the windows from sunlight can be tricky. Even if you draw the curtains, sunlight will still heat the room if the temperature is too high.In such a scenario, you should consider getting window tints. The window tints may not do a great job on their own, but combined with curtains you could make your home significantly cooler.Windows and doors are not the only place where heat can get into your home.

During the day, the entire home can get extremely hot.Parts of your home that absorb heat:When you turn the air conditioner on, the heat from the home will be transferred to the room. This makes the AC work harder and the cooling ineffective. The best way to resolve this issue is insulation.You should insulate your entire home to avoid heat from entering and to keep the cool air in. This will not only keep your air conditioner from working too hard, but will also save you money on utility bills.Not only does insulation keep cooling costs low in summer, it also keeps the heating costs minimal. Insulation is meant to keep the exterior heat away from your room. Insulation is not only beneficial if you want to keep the home cool. The insulation will also prove helpful in keeping heating costs down.Insulation makes a huge difference to the cooling quality of your air conditioner. It can significantly reduce the stress on your air conditioner and even lower your electricity bills.It is important to check your home for proper insulation.

At times, the old insulation becomes ineffective and needs to be replaced. In such a case, there are a few simple checks you can perform:Temperature Fluctuation Between RoomsThe first indication of faulty insulation is temperature fluctuation in different rooms. If you are in one room, go to the other room to check the difference in temperature. In that case, you need to get new insulation. At times the case is simply of an improper insulation type. Once you get the correct type installed, the temperature will stay even.Cold Walls or FloorsInsulation is not only installed in the walls but also the floors and ceiling. During the winter months, the insulation should keep the temperature of the floor and walls moderate. But if the walls and floor are getting cold, you need insulation immediately. The walls will become colder and you will need to run the heating for longer. This will cause a spike in your heating bill as well.Spike in Cooling or Heating BillsA firm indicator of a faulty insulation is a sudden spike in heating and/or cooling bills.

If you are not sure about why your bills spiked, you should hire a professional contractor. They will perform an energy audit to check the insulation in your home.Before you go ahead and get insulation for your home, there are a few things you should know about. The first is how to determine the cost of insulation for your home. Secondly, you will need to figure out the type of insulation you should be using in your home.The cost of insulation varies from home to home. This is because there are many factors to take into account. The first and most important factor to consider is the type of insulation to use. There are some that are more expensive. The best thing to do is to contact a renowned insulation company and get a quote. Be sure to get insulation that is perfect for your home rather than going for the cheapest option.The type of insulation you should use depends on numerous factors. Firstly, you have to consider the area you are living in. If you live in a ???hot' region, you will need to get topnotch insulation.