You may very well not think twice about turning up the air conditioning when it’s hot outside—until you see your electricity bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the average U.S. home’s annual energy bills and up to 70% of your utility spending during the summer. If you’re frustrated by paying too much for air conditioning, follow these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly expenses.
- Prioritize routine upkeep: Dirt and debris accumulate in your air conditioner over time, lowering efficiency. Schedule annual maintenance to have a technician clean your unit’s coils, replace the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving elements and more. A yearly inspection also allows your technician to identify and fix any potential issues before they become severe problems.
- Keep the outdoor unit free of obstructions: Loose trash and nearby trees growing around your air conditioner can reduce airflow and make the system work harder. Examine the unit throughout the summer, clipping back vegetation and sweeping debris as needed to keep your cooling system operating effectively.
- Buy a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat enables you to set automatic temperatures based on your routine. In the summer months, program a higher temperature when you’re away from your house or apartment and have it resume a comfortable temperature before you get back. This decreases electrical consumption and saves money without sacrificing comfort.
- Stay away from overriding programmed settings: While you can always override the temperature on your programmable thermostat, try turning on a fan or removing a layer of clothes before you change the setting. When you need to modify the temperature, do so by just a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature will not cool your home any more rapidly and only serves to squander energy.
- Use the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode circulates air to stop rooms from becoming stuffy, HVAC professionals say that you should be using this setting sparingly. “Auto fan” is the more efficient setting because the blower only runs when the rest of the AC does, avoiding unwanted energy waste.
- Prevent solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, installing outdoor awnings and applying window film helps block the sun’s heat to keep your residence cooler. These techniques are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines straight inside.
- Install the outdoor unit in the shade: Direct sunlight causes your system to work harder and lowers efficiency. So, if you can, position the condensing unit so it’s in the shade in the afternoon.
- Keep your air vents open: It’s a often-held misconception that closing the vents in unused rooms conserves energy. However, this throws off the supply and return air balance, making your AC not as efficient. As a rule, keep at least 80% of your registers open at all times and ensure that no vents are blocked 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 may allow you to turn up the temperature a few degrees without feeling hot, lowering your dependence on the air conditioner and lowering your bills.
- Use a dehumidifier: High humidity causes a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may compel you to repeatedly lower the temperature. In reality, you need less humidity, not 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 sensibly: When it’s hot and humid outside, keep your windows and doors closed to prevent cool air from leaking out. If you are living somewhere with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors during the night to cool off the house naturally, reducing the load on your air conditioner.
- Seal air leaks: Leaky windows and doors let hot summer air inside even when closed, making it harder and more expensive to keep things cool. Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping to keep conditioned air inside of your home where it belongs.
- Seal duct leaks: A regular home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air moving through it to leaks, holes and shoddily connected ducts. Reach out to a professional to seal your ductwork and eliminate this energy waste.
If you still have comfort problems or large energy bills after implementing these tips, turn to Freschi Service Experts for help. We [can|are able to|will]130] diagnose and repair air conditioning issues, provide preventive maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a newer, high-efficiency model. For your security, we back every single thing we do with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! Contact a Service Experts office near you today to learn more or request air conditioning services in Concord.