Now the summer heat is officially here, it’s hard to stay cool in San Antonio without cranking down the air conditioner. While your comfort level may increase, so will your electric bill. So here are four ways to use your AC efficiently during the summer.

Set your thermostat correctly
The more degrees between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more money you’ll be spending on your energy bill. In Texas, it can be hard to keep that difference low with how hot it gets. Turn your AC thermostat up when you won’t be at your house to save energy so you can keep it comfortable while you’re there.

Use ceiling fans
Most ceiling fans have two settings: counterclockwise and clockwise. The counterclockwise setting helps to push air down. Using your fans while the air conditioning is on will help push the cool air coming from the vents down, letting you keep your AC set to a higher temperature than what may seem like it would be comfortable.

Change your air filter
The air filter in your AC unit builds up with dirt and debris over time, causing your AC to work harder and decreasing your indoor air quality. Changing the filters every month will help keep your system running smoothly and efficiently.

Get regular tune-ups
AC tune-ups are one of the best ways to save money on your energy bills during the summer. According to the Department of Energy, AC units that are not regularly maintained use up to 20% more energy. An AC tune-up from Champion AC consists of 17 points, including an inspection of the condenser and evaporator fan motors, a check of the refrigerant level and a full energy audit.

Although keeping your energy bill low can seem like a huge hurdle to overcome, following these steps and getting an AC tune-up will help. Call Champion AC today to schedule a tune-up to keep your AC running safely and efficiently!