BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) Another stretch of triple-digit temperatures is pushing air conditioners to work overtime, and many families may feel the impact when their utility bills arrive.
But staff at Floyd’s General Store say cutting energy costs doesn’t always require expensive upgrades.
Robert Gingras, Floyd’s general manager, said one low-cost option is sealing up places where cool air can escape.
“We have foam installation that you can put around the edges of your windows that helps seal any drafts or leaks,” Gingras said.
Triple-digit heat drives up AC bills, but simple window sealing can cut costs (KBAK/KBFX)
Gingras said many of the products are designed to be easy for homeowners to install themselves.
“No and most of it’s self-adhesive so it’s really easy to install,” he said.
The store also sells door sweeps, which can help block gaps under doors.
“And then we also have the door sweeps. That is a rubber installation that you put on the bottom of the door to help prevent air gaps in the heat or the cool air from coming out,” Gingras said.
Items like these sell at Floyd’s for around $16 or less.
Utility experts also recommend adjusting thermostat settings to reduce costs.
Triple-digit heat drives up AC bills, but simple window sealing can cut costs (KBAK/KBFX)
PG&E spokesperson Paul Moreno said setting the thermostat colder won’t cool a home faster.
“No, the air conditioner only works at one speed. So just set it at seventy-eight degrees or whatever your target temperature is. And don’t overshoot that,” Moreno said.
Moreno also suggested shifting some household chores to cooler parts of the day, when energy demand is lower.
Triple-digit heat drives up AC bills, but simple window sealing can cut costs (KBAK/KBFX)
“We also advise doing activities such as running your dish washer, your washing machine, vacuum before the peak hours of four p.m. to nine p.m.,” he said.