You may not think twice about revving up the air conditioning when it’s scorching hot outside—until you see your electricity bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the average U.S. home’s annual energy expenses and up to 70% of your utility spending during the summer. If you’re tired of overpaying for air conditioning, practice these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly bills.
- Prioritize routine service: Dirt and debris accumulate in your air conditioner over time, reducing efficiency. Make appointments for annual maintenance to have a technician clean your unit’s coils, exchange the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving pieces and more. A yearly inspection also enables your serviceman to discover and fix any potential issues before they become major problems.
- Keep the outdoor unit free of junk: Loose dirt and nearby flowers growing around your air conditioner can reduce airflow and make the system work harder. Look at the unit throughout the summer, pruning back vegetation and cleaning up debris as needed to keep your cooling system functioning properly.
- Install a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat helps you to set automatic temperatures based on your schedule. In the warm 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 reduces energy consumption and saves money without decreasing comfort.
- Stay away from overriding programmed settings: While you could 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 have to change the temperature, do so by only a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature won’t cool your home any more rapidly and only serves to needlessly consume energy.
- Use the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode spreads 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, reducing unwanted electricity waste.
- Block solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, putting in 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 straight inside.
- Install the outdoor unit in the shade: Direct sunlight causes your system to work harder and decreases efficiency. So, if feasible, position the condensing unit so it’s out of the direct sunlight in the afternoon.
- Keep your air vents open: It’s a often-held misconception that closing the vents in rarely used rooms saves energy. Unfortunately, this throws off the supply and return air balance, making your AC not as 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 along with your air conditioner: Ceiling fans move air throughout the room, producing 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, lowering 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 influence you to repeatedly lower the temperature. In fact, you need less humidity, not cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier eliminates unwanted 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 stop cool air from getting outside. If you live somewhere with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors during the night to cool off the house naturally, reducing the strain on your air conditioner.
- Seal air leaks: Leaky windows and doors allow hot summer air inside of the house even when closed, making it more challenging and more expensive to keep things cool. Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping to keep conditioned air inside where it should be.
- Seal duct leaks: A typical home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air moving through it to leaks, holes and poorly 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 costs after employing these tips, turn to Midland Air 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 brand-new, high-efficiency model. For your peace of mind, we stand behind all the work that 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 Columbia.