Once you get that utility bill, however, you might regret cranking it up so carelessly. If this sounds like you (or a certain someone in your household), here are just a few tips for staying cool this summer without totally breaking the bank.

Ceiling fans create a wind chill effect that can lower the temperature by as much as five degrees. While it won’t actually push cold air into the room, it will stop the hot air from stifling you. Just make sure to turn them off when not in use, otherwise you’re wasting energy for nothing!

When was the last time you cleaned out your air conditioner? Not only will dirty filters block some of the cold air trying to reach you, but the air conditioner itself will overcompensate in terms of power output. Make it a point to clean your filters at least once a month this summer.

Guard your home from the sun by planting trees and large bushes around your roof and windows. If the heat isn’t able to reach your exterior walls, it isn’t able to penetrate your home and warm it up from the outside.

Programmable thermostats will raise the temperature at certain times of day when you don’t need the A/C running. For example, if you work long hours or are going on vacation, what’s the point in cooling rooms when you aren’t there? Buying a programmable thermostat can substantially reduce your energy bills in the long run.

If you’ve ever entered a hot room and turned the A/C to its chilliest setting to compensate, you should know that you aren’t actually cooling the room any faster with the lower-than-usual temperature. Air circulation doesn’t work that way. Use your A/C like normal to avoid wasting money.

These are just a few tips for lowering your A/C costs this summer. There are many more, of course, but these should be enough to start you on a journey of saving. Good luck and stay cool!

And if you ever have a problem with your air conditioning system, call 247 Local HVAC for expert AC service in the Houston area.