You might not think twice about revving up the air conditioning when it’s warm outside—until you see your energy bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the typical U.S. home’s annual energy expenditures and up to 70% of your utility spending during the summer. If you’re tired of paying too much for air conditioning, follow these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly bills.
- Prioritize routine maintenance: Dirt and debris accumulate in your air conditioner over time, reducing efficiency. Plan annual maintenance to have a specialist clean your unit’s coils, replace the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving parts and more. A once-per-year inspection also makes it possible for your technician to discover and fix any potential issues before they become severe problems.
- Keep the outdoor unit free of blockages: Loose debris and nearby vegetation growing around your air conditioner can minimize airflow and make the system work harder. Look at the unit throughout the summer, trimming back vegetation and cleaning up debris as needed to keep your cooling system functioning effectively.
- Set up a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat allows you to set automatic temperatures based on your lifestyle. In the summer, program a higher temperature when you’re away from home and have it resume a comfortable temperature before you come back. This lowers energy consumption and saves money without sacrificing comfort.
- Stay away from overriding programmed settings: While you could override the temperature on your programmable thermostat, try turning on a fan or taking off a layer of clothes before you change the setting. When you need to change the temperature, do so by merely a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature won’t cool your home any more rapidly and only serves to waste electricity.
- Make use of the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode moves air to stop rooms from becoming stuffy, HVAC professionals recommend using this setting sparingly. “Auto fan” is the more efficient setting because the blower only runs when the rest of the AC does, reducing unnecessary power waste.
- Prevent solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, getting outside awnings and applying window film helps block the sun’s heat to keep your property cooler. These methods are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines right in.
- Install the outdoor part of your system in the shade: Direct sunlight can force your system to work harder and lowers efficiency. So, if feasible, position the condensing unit so it’s in the shade in the afternoon.
- Keep your air vents open: It’s a frequent misconception that closing the vents in unused rooms helps you to save energy. However, this throws off the supply and return air balance, making your AC much less efficient. By and large, keep at least 80% of your registers open all of the time and ensure that no vents are obstructed by rugs, curtains or furniture.
- Use ceiling fans in conjunction with your air conditioner: Ceiling fans move air throughout the room, creating a wind chill effect that makes you feel about 4 degrees cooler. This might allow you to turn up the temperature a few degrees without feeling uncomfortable, dropping your dependence on the air conditioner and minimizing your bills.
- Use a dehumidifier: High humidity creates a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may compel you to routinely lower the temperature. Actually, you need less humidity, rather than cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier takes away extra moisture, making your home feel more comfortable for a fraction of the cost of air conditioning.
- Use natural ventilation wisely: When it’s hot and humid outside, keep your windows and doors closed to prevent cool air from leaking out. If you are living in a place with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors overnight to cool off the house naturally, reducing the strain on your air conditioner.
- Seal air leaks: Leaky windows and doors give access to hot summer air inside of the house even when closed, making it more difficult and more expensive to keep things cool. Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping to keep conditioned air in the house where it should be.
- Seal duct leaks: A standard home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air moving through it to leaks, holes and badly connected ducts. Hire a professional to seal your ductwork and put an end to this energy waste.
If you still have comfort troubles or high energy expenses after implementing these tips, turn to Comfort Masters Service Experts for help. We [can|are able to|will]130] diagnose and repair air conditioning problems, provide preventive maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a new, high-efficiency model. For your peace of mind, we support everything we do with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! Get in touch with a Service Experts office near you today to learn more or request air conditioning services in Wheeling.