As spring approaches, many of us start to forget the cold winter weather and imagine our energy bills decreasing as we no longer require heating. Unfortunately, as the temperatures rise, you are likely to reach for the A/C controls and could find your bills spiraling out of control. Luckily, there are four ways you can save money on your A/C bills without compromising on your comfort level. 
Seal Your Home:
While you may already shut doors and windows when you turn on your air conditioning system, your precious conditioned air could still be escaping. Most houses have nooks and crannies that could be allowing hot air into your home and allow cooled air to escape. This not only compromises your comfort levels, but can cost you in lost energy. It is worth taking a little time to check for any holes or cracks that could be costing you money. You should specifically look at the doors and windows including the frames and in non-living spaces such as basements and attics.
Once you are confident that all cracks are sealed, try to develop the habit of closing doors and windows. If you have zone control in your home, by leaving internal doors open, you may be forcing the system to work harder.
Develop an AC Maintenance Schedule:
When you are looking to save money, paying out for maintenance and servicing can seem counterproductive, but this is not the case. A regular maintenance schedule including replacing filters, cleaning the condenser and evaporator and checking vents will ensure that your system is operating at peak efficiency. Even something seemingly minor such as a dirty filter can place additional strain on your system. Clogged filters not only allow allergens to compromise air quality, but reduce airflow and impact efficiency. If left unchecked, a clogged filter could even trigger a breakdown. Regular servicing and maintenance allows for preventative repairs, which can allow minor issues to be corrected before they can develop into a major fault.
Clear the Vents:
Your air conditioning system is designed to push air through your vents until the ambient temperature reaches your desired level. If the vents are restricted by furniture, debris or soft furnishings, the air conditioning system is forced to work harder to try to cool the room. While you may have moved the furniture closer to vents in winter to benefit from the heat, when spring approaches, it is the perfect time to consider a furniture reshuffle. When you are spring cleaning, it is also worth cleaning all the vents, to ensure that they are free of pet hair, dust and other debris.
Utilize Natural Cooling Methods:
In the modern age, many of us overlook how beneficial natural cooling methods can be. Natural shade can be an effective means of significantly reducing your energy costs. Use shades to block out the sun on south-facing windows that can heat the room like an oven. You may also consider planting trees or shading plants in your yard to create some protection from the sun. Just be sure to consider how they can be pruned in winter to allow you to enjoy the sunshine in colder weather and reduce your heating costs.