It’s spring in South Carolina! As warmer weather rolls in, we have the tips you need to stay cool and save money:

• As you do your spring cleaning, don’t forget your appliances! Cleaning or replacing the air filters in your air conditioning unit and its evaporator coil are a very cheap way to cut down on your cooling costs without pricy maintenance. Learn how to clean your A/C unit’s evaporator coil at this link.
• Rely on fans! Using ceiling fans can improve air flow and cool you down without having to touch the thermostat. Bathroom fans can also lower the temperature and cut down on the humidity in your home. Don’t forget to switch your fan over so it draws up hot air and blows cool air down—look for a small switch on the side of your fan and make sure your fan is blowing counterclockwise to keep cool.
• Take advantage of the weather! It’s grilling weather and cooking outdoors reduces the amount of energy you consume within your home.
• Weatherproof your home! Weatherproofing doesn’t have to be costly—simple improvements like weatherstripping your doors and windows and using caulk to plug any holes allows you to reduce the heat exchange between the indoors and the outdoors. Energy.gov has a full rundown of weatherstripping options—find out more at this link.