In the summertime, staying cool can cost you more than you realize. If your air conditioner is working constantly, your bill is going to be high. Using your swimming pool to cool off is also an option, but this means you have to maintain pool heating costs as well. Simply shutting off the air conditioner or your pool heater is not an option either, especially since some studies show that air conditioning could extend your life.

Fortunately, there are a few different ways that can help in reducing your cooling bill in the summer. You can begin by looking at your pool heater to make sure that it is energy efficient. You can also lower your water heating temperature, insulate your hot water pipes, and even buy a solar blanket for your pool to trap heat. These tips can help keep monthly pool heating costs down.

When it comes to air conditioning, you will want to make sure that you have a unit that is energy-efficient as well. Newer units are able to cool air using less energy, and can help lower your bill. Most air conditioning systems have a refrigerant-filled coil that cools the air as it blows over the coils. The refrigerant can be replaced by an eco-friendly one to help the environment, and also cool your air more efficiently. If you have an older unit, you might want to consider replacing it with a newer system. Air conditioning installation in the U.S. can be anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the quality of the unit, according to HomeAdvisors.com. With a new system, you can choose from different types of air conditioning thermostats as well, which can be set to cool only during the hours that you are at home. This can help reduce your bill as well, since the system will not be running constantly.

You will also need to making sure that you change your air filter often in order to keep your air conditioner functioning optimally. The filter picks up dust and other allergens as it sends the air through your vents, and a dirty filter could clog the system and waste energy. For this reason, it is worth it to invest in air conditioning duct cleaning every year before the cooling season.

By following these money-saving strategies, you will be able to stay cool in the summer, and not have to spend a fortune doing so. More research here.