Regular maintenance significantly improves your AC’s efficiency. An AC professional will:

• Check and clean the condenser coil

• Inspect blower motor and fan blades

• Check refrigerant levels

• Lubricate moving parts

A clean filter can help your unit run more efficiently and saves energy.

• Improves air flow and cooling

• Reduces allergens

Washing on cold saves up to 50 cents per load and cleans just as well as warm or hot.

• The hot cycle should only be used on the dirtiest of loads

• Washing your clothes less often can also impact your energy bill

Your air conditioning unit will operate better if it has plenty of room to breathe.

Is your AC on the fritz? Find reasons it may be time for an upgrade.

• Trim plants back at least two feet from the unit to allow optimal airflow

• Cover the unit during colder months to protect from dirt, debris and corrosion

LED light bulbs use at least 75% less energy, and last up to 25 times longer, than incandescent lighting.

• LEDs emit little heat, while incandescent bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat

• LEDs come in various color temperatures, including warm light

In the summer, fans should rotate counterclockwise to lift warm air up and out of the room.

Need more cooling than a fan can provide? Evergy’s AC rebate can help you save up to $1,000 on a new energy-efficient system.

• Look for a switch on the motor housing (the cylindrical area below the fan blades) or refer to your ceiling fan manual to switch the rotation

Check the placement of carpets, couches, beds and other large pieces of furniture to be sure they are not blocking vents.

Does your cooling struggle no matter what you do? Find reasons it may be time for an upgrade.

• Always keep vents open to avoid increased pressure in the duct system, which can cause air leaks in your ductwork

Sunlight passing through windows heats your home and makes your air conditioner work harder. Block the heat by keeping blinds or drapes closed on sunny day.

• Make sure to shade windows that face south or west, as they let in the most heat

• As the day progresses, adjust your blinds as the sun moves from one side of your home to the other

As doors age or the weather changes, you might find gaps around the seams that let air in or out.

• Use weatherstripping around the door frame to prevent cold air from getting inside in the winter, and air conditioner from leaking in the summer

• Add a door sweep at the bottom of the door

Ovens use more electricity than any other cooking appliance.

• Smaller appliances like slow cookers, microwaves, air fryers and toaster ovens use much less energy than your stove or oven

• Avoiding your stove or oven can also keep your kitchen cool in the summer

Dishwashers are still more energy efficient than washing by hand.

• Instead of using the “heat dry” function of your washer, air dry your dishes or towel them off

• Avoid using rinse-hold and pre-rinse features

New TVs are set to look best on the showroom floor, but the bright display modes use a lot of energy.

• Access the display menu with the remote

• Adjust factory settings and switch to a setting like “cinema” or “movie”

• For manual controls, reduce brightness and contrast

Hang-drying laundry saves energy and reduces wear and tear on clothes, which helps them last longer.

• Heavier items, like jeans, take a long time to hang dry completely. But, hanging them for a while before drying in the clothes dryer can still save energy.

• When the weather doesn’t cooperate, indoor drying racks can help.

If you have a smart thermostat, you can adjust your home’s temperature when you’re out and about.

• When you are away from home in the summer, set the temperature at least 5-8°F higher

• When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as high as is comfortable for you and your family

The refrigerator is the one thing that’s always on and consumes the most energy of all kitchen appliances in the average home.

• Older models have a dial inside the refrigerator that shows the temperature

• Some newer models have digital temperature displays on the outside

Fixing drafty areas can help make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.

• Use caulk to seal the outer trim, the area where the window touches the trim and along the moveable parts of the window

There’s less demand for energy in the overnight hours, so nighttime charging saves energy and supports the grid.

• Save even more by switching to a time-based plan

• Install a Level 2, 240v outlet at home and get up to $500 in rebates

The thermostat senses heat from lamps and TV sets, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.