You may not think twice about turning 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 bills and up to 70% of your utility spending during the summer. If you’re sick of spending too much for air conditioning, follow these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly expenses.
- Prioritize routine service: Dirt and debris accumulate in your air conditioner over time, reducing efficiency. Schedule annual maintenance to have a specialist clean your unit’s coils, replace the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving elements and more. A once-per-year inspection also makes it possible for your technician to identify and fix any potential issues before they become major problems.
- Keep the outdoor unit free of obstructions: Loose debris 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 correctly.
- Buy a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat allows you to set automatic temperatures based on your schedule. In the summertime, 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 power consumption and saves money without decreasing comfort.
- Stay away from overriding programmed settings: While you could bypass 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 modify 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 power.
- Utilize the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode circulates 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, preventing unwanted electricity waste.
- 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 property cooler. These techniques are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines straight in.
- Install the outdoor unit in the shade: Direct sunlight makes your system to work harder and decreases efficiency. So, if possible, 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 rarely used rooms saves energy. The truth is, this throws off the supply and return air balance, making your AC much less efficient. As a rule, keep at least 80% of your registers open all the time and make certain no vents are hindered by rugs, curtains or furniture.
- Use ceiling fans in tandem with your air conditioner: Ceiling fans circulate 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 uncomfortable, 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 influence you to routinely lower the temperature. In fact, you need less humidity, instead of cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier eliminates 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 stop 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 burden on your air conditioner.
- Seal air leaks: Leaky windows and doors let hot summer air inside of the house 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 poorly connected ducts. Reach out to a professional to seal your ductwork and put a stop to this energy waste.
If you still have comfort problems or large energy costs after implementing these tips, turn to Knochelmann 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 confidence, we stand behind every single thing we do with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! Reach out to a Service Experts office near you today to learn more or request air conditioning services in Sharonville.