13 Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

You may very well not think twice about turning up the air conditioning when it’s warm outside—until you see your electric bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the typical U.S. home’s yearly energy costs and up to 70% of your utility costs during the summer. If you’re frustrated by overpaying for air conditioning, practice these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly expenditures.

    1. Prioritize routine servicing: Dirt and debris build up in your air conditioner over time, lowering efficiency. Make appointments for annual maintenance to have a professional clean your unit’s coils, switch out the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving parts and more. A once-per-year inspection also enables your tech to identify and fix any potential issues before they become major problems.
    1. Keep the outdoor unit free of junk: Loose trash and nearby vegetation growing around your air conditioner can restrict airflow and make the system work harder. Examine the unit throughout the summer, pruning back vegetation and sweeping up debris as needed to keep your cooling system functioning properly.
    1. Buy a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat permits you to set automatic temperatures based on your routine. In the summer, program a higher temperature when you’re away from your residence and have it resume a comfortable temperature before you get back. This reduces energy consumption and saves money without sacrificing comfort.
    1. Stay away from overriding programmed settings: While you are able to 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 have to adjust the temperature, do so by only a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature won’t cool your home any faster and only serves to waste energy.
    1. Make use of the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode spreads air to stop rooms from becoming stuffy, HVAC professionals advocate using this setting sparingly. “Auto fan” is the more efficient setting because the blower only runs when the rest of the AC does, preventing unnecessary electricity waste.
    1. Stop solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, putting in outside awnings and applying window film helps block the sun’s heat to keep your residence cooler. These methods are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines right inside.
    1. Install the outdoor unit in the shade: Direct sunlight causes your system to work harder and reduces efficiency. So if you can, position the condensing unit so it’s in the shade in the afternoon.
    1. Keep your air vents open: It’s a frequent misconception that closing the vents in rarely used rooms saves energy. The truth is, this throws off the supply and return air symmetry, making your AC less efficient. By and large, keep at least 80% of your registers open at all times and ensure that no vents are obstructed by rugs, curtains or furniture.
    1. Use ceiling fans along with your air conditioner: Ceiling fans distribute 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 bringing down your bills.
    1. Use a dehumidifier: High humidity creates a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may compel you to repeatedly lower the temperature. In fact, you need less humidity, not cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier removes unwanted moisture, making your home feel more comfortable for a fraction of the cost of air conditioning.
    1. Use natural ventilation wisely: When it’s hot and humid outside, keep your windows and doors closed to restrict cool air from getting out. If you are living in in an area with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors at night to cool off the house naturally, reducing the strain on your air conditioner.
    1. Seal air leaks: Leaky windows and doors allow hot summer air inside of the house even when closed, making it much harder and more expensive to keep things cool. Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping to keep conditioned air inside where it should be.
    1. Seal duct leaks: An average home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air flowing through it to leaks, holes and shoddily connected ducts. Call a professional to seal your ductwork and put an end to this energy waste.

If you still have comfort issues or high energy bills after implementing these tips, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help. We will diagnose and repair air conditioning issues, provide preventative maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a brand-new, high-efficiency model. For your security, we back every single thing we do with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! Call a Service Experts office near you today to learn more or request air conditioning services in North America.