5 DIY Ways To Save $500 On That Summer Utilities Bill NOW!

    HOUSTON, TX, June 15, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The heat is on, which means there's more money going to staying cool! Summers are growing hotter thanks to climate change and increased urbanization. Using an air conditioner to stay cool takes a big bite out of your household budgets. According to a national study, utilities account for about 40 percent of the average family's household bills.

There's plenty you can do to cut the cost of cooling a home. For example, sealing air leaks and adding insulation can together boost a home's heating and cooling efficiency by 15 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "ABACUS always wants to help our community, these tips not only reduce energy waste but the average household's summer bills," CEO Alan O'Neill ABACUS Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical

Our experts have weighed in and here are the easiest way to save big bucks without breaking a sweat!

Get a programmable thermostat:The EPA estimates that using a programmable thermostat can save as much as 15% or more on AC energy cost. Set your thermostat (programmable or not) to 78 degrees. For every degree you increase the temperature, you can save 5% on monthly cooling costs.

For example, sealing air leaks and adding insulation can together boost a home's heating and cooling efficiency by 15 percent, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Install a programmable thermostat:The EPA estimates that using a programmable thermostat can save as much as 15% or more on AC energy cost. Set your thermostat (programmable or not) to 78 degrees. For every degree you increase the temperature, you can save 5% on monthly cooling costs.

Bright Ideas: LED bulbs use less energy and can last up to 10 times longer, helping to reduce energy bills, on average cutting overall costs by 15% annually per bulb.

Keep it clean:Dirty, clogged air filters block the AC's airflow and contribute to indoor air pollution. Abacus suggest changing the monthly during the peak summer months and every six weeks the rest of the year. When the filter gets dirty, the unit has to work extra hard to pull air into the system, which just costs more energy.

No Sweat: Decreasing the humidity in the air makes you feel cooler and prevents your AC from having to work as hard. Ask everyone in the home to turn the bathroom fan on while taking a shower, this removes the moisture and reduces both energy and strain on the ac unit.
Only use ceiling fans when you're under them:Ceiling and portable fans can supplement AC in occupied rooms, but remember to turn them off if the room is empty. Fans cool people, not rooms. Why waste money on cooling your bed?

Abacus AC Manager's Additional Tips:
Keep the kitchen cool. One way to quickly heat up your home is to use your kitchen appliances to fix meals. Sure, you still need to eat in the summer, but you don't always have to heat up the whole kitchen to do it. Try using crockpots, small appliance,BBQ grill, or even toaster ovens instead of the oven.

Hang out the laundry. Your dryer is probably one of your home's biggest energy suckers. It takes a lot of electricity (or gas) to generate heat that dries your clothes. Plus, some of that heat escapes the dryer and winds up heating your home unnecessarily

Caulk up cracks. We often talk about using caulk to seal cracks - especially around doors and windows - in the winter. And it's true that in the winter, it's especially easy to feel the cold air leaking in through even the tiniest of cracks and gaps

Change the filter: Dirty, clogged air filters block the AC's airflow and contribute to indoor air pollution. It is best to change them every month or couple of months, depending on the specific filter.

Close the blinds: During the day this helps a lot to keep your home cool.

Switch light bulbs from incandescent to LED: LED bulbs use less energy and can last up to 10 times longer, helping to reduce energy bills.

Use a dehumidifier: Decreasing the humidity in the air makes you feel cooler so your AC won't have to work as hard.

Cook outside: Cooking creates a lot of heat, use an outdoor grill when possible.

Use fans: Ceiling and portable fans can supplement AC in occupied rooms, but remember to turn them off if the room is empty. Fans cool people, not rooms.

MEDIA: Our experts can help you with these and other tips to help your audience stay cool for summer. From how to prevent your A/C from breaking down to Five ways to save $500 on you utilities bill, and countless others. Please contact Michelle at 214-228-9135/[email protected] for interview requests or any needs you might have.

ABACUS
About Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical: Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical is a full service residential contractor that has been serving the greater Houston area for since 2003. Abacus is a member of the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce and is a nine-time award winner and A+ rated Houston Better Business Bureau contractor. Abacus is licensed and insured and offers 24/7 emergency service. To learn more about Abacus Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical, visit www.abacusplumbing.net or call (713) 812-7070. License Numbers: ALAN O'NEILL M-20628 | TACLA 15663E | TECL

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