With summer right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about switching off your furnace and turning on your air conditioner. As the temperature starts to rise, you might be concerned that your energy usage is about to climb as well. There are lots of simple ways to stay cool without breaking the bank.

Here are some tips to keep in mind for keeping your AC usage low as the seasons begin to change.

Fans

In the days before air conditioners were common for residential use, fans were the default cooling devices. When the temperature is still low, such as in the early morning or evening, shut off your AC unit to save on energy.

Increase your thermostat setting by one degree

You might be comfortable at 70 degrees but your body will not notice if you set your thermostat to 71 degrees instead. This small change can help you save on energy long-term, especially if you raise the temperature by a couple more degrees.

Night setback

As with heating, you can reduce energy consumption at night by lowering the demand for cooling. A programmable thermostat allows you to input settings and forget it while reaping the benefits.

Strategic tree planting

Trees provide shade and can lower the temperature around your home by at least a few degrees. Shading your windows and even the air conditioning unit itself will reduce its energy demand.

Close your curtains or blinds

A tree outside your window is not the only way to get shade. An even easier way is to close your curtains to buffer your room from the rising temperatures and, in turn, reduce you AC unit’s energy consumption.

Maintain your unit

A properly maintained air conditioner uses less energy. Have your unit tuned to keep it running without consuming too much energy.

Upgrade to a high-efficiency AC unit

On a hot day, there’s only so much an alternative form of cooling will provide. The best way to reduce the energy consumption of your air conditioning unit is to select one that uses less electricity. Consider upgrading to a high-efficiency unit to keep cool without overspending on energy.