If you live in Florida you know that air conditioning is a necessity, especially in the summertime! However, you probably also know that air conditioning costs can be expensive. The higher the mercury rises, the higher your energy bills will be. Fortunately there are some things you can do to save money on your air conditioning, even in the dead heat of summer. Though some of these things may require a small investment, the return on that investment will be well worth it.

1. Cover Your Windows
Most of the heat that gets into your home doesn’t come from the air, but from the sun—and that Florida sun is hot! By covering up the windows, you will find that you can cut down on how much sun is getting in, which will cut down on the heat that gets in your home. Do this with new blinds, curtains designed to keep out heat, or even with shrubbery and trees that provide extra shade. Window films and solar screens can also be put on the windows.

2. Turn Up the Temp When You Aren’t Home
Another thing that you can do that, according to the US Department of Energy, can save you 5-15% on your energy bills, is to turn up the temperature when you are not home. For instance, set the thermostat for 78 or so when you are at work and when you get home, take it back down to 75. That small change will put more money back into your pocket.

3. Don’t Bake or Do Laundry During the Day
Finally, if you want to make sure that you are saving money on your air conditioning bills, do not bake in the oven or do any laundry during the day. When you run large appliances like the dishwasher, dryer or oven, you are putting a lot more heat into the air, and your air conditioner has to work harder to keep things cool. Instead, save those chores for the evening.

4. Replace That Old Air Conditioner with a New Energy Efficient Unit
Got an old AC unit?  Particularly if it is more than 10 years old, you can save big money on that electric bill by updating to a new unit.  Today’s units are far more efficient.  And if you need a little extra cash to make that upgrade happen, talk to the folks at Embassy Loans about an Auto Title Loan.  If your credit could use a little help, a title loan could be the best way to get that upgrade going.