Stay Cool Without Breaking the Bank

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — There are things you can do to stay cool, while not hurting your wallet. Now that Karen Hodges has to pay up to fix up her broken air conditioning unit, she’s more concerned about the cost to stay cool during extremely warm temperatures. Kaminer Heating and Air technician, Bryan Martin, cautions, while you may be tempted to lower the thermostat in your home to cool off, doing so, he says, can raise your energy bill. He suggests setting and leaving your indoor temperature between 77 and 78 degrees. Setting it any lower could cause the unit to run continuously, spiking your energy bill. Other suggestions he offers include: closing blinds and curtains; keeping front and back doors closed; firing up floor and ceiling fans; and making sure vents are not obstructed by furniture and other items in order to promote proper air flow. Maintaining the unit and changing filters regularly are also helpful, energy-saving and cost-saving tips.