13 Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

You may not think twice about cranking 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 12-month energy costs and up to 70% of your utility expenses during the summer. If you’re sick of paying too much for air conditioning, try these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly expenditures. 

  1. Prioritize routine maintenance: Dirt and debris build up in your air conditioner over time, decreasing efficiency. Schedule annual maintenance to have a specialist clean your unit’s coils, switch out the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving pieces and more. A once-per-year inspection also allows your tech to discover and fix any potential issues before they become severe problems. 
  2. Keep the outdoor unit free of obstructions: Loose dirt and nearby vegetation growing around your air conditioner can reduce airflow and make the system work harder. Examine the unit throughout the summer, clipping back vegetation and removing debris as needed to keep your cooling system working correctly. 
  3. Put in a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat enables you to set automatic temperatures based on your schedule. In the summer, program a higher temperature when you’re away from your house or apartment and have it resume a comfortable temperature before you return. This reduces energy consumption and saves money without sacrificing comfort. 
  4. Avoid overriding programmed settings: While you are able to bypass the temperature on your programmable thermostat, try turning on a fan or shedding a layer of clothes before you change the setting. When you want to adjust 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 needlessly consume energy. 
  5. Use the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode moves air to stop rooms from becoming stuffy, HVAC professionals suggest using this setting sparingly. “Auto fan” is the more efficient setting because the blower only runs when the rest of the AC does, avoiding needless power waste. 
  6. 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 house cooler. These methods are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines directly inside the house. 
  7. Install the outdoor unit in the shade: Direct sunlight makes your system to work harder and decreases efficiency. So if feasible, position the condensing unit so it’s shaded in the afternoon.  
  8. Keep your air vents open: It’s a common misconception that closing the vents in unused rooms conserves energy. The truth is, this throws off the supply and return air symmetry, making your AC not as efficient. By and large, keep at least 80% of your registers open continuously and make certain no vents are hindered by rugs, curtains or furniture. 
  9. Use ceiling fans in conjunction with your air conditioner: Ceiling fans distribute 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 hot, dropping your dependence on the air conditioner and decreasing your bills. 
  10. Use a dehumidifier: High humidity induces a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may force you to frequently lower the temperature. Actually, you need less humidity, rather than cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier removes extra moisture, making your home feel more comfortable for a fraction of the cost of air conditioning. 
  11. Use natural ventilation sensibly: When it’s hot and humid outside, keep your windows and doors closed to restrict cool air from escaping. If you reside in in an area with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors at night to cool off the house naturally, reducing the burden on your air conditioner. 
  12. Seal air leaks: Leaky windows and doors let 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 of your home where it is supposed to be.  
  13. Seal duct leaks: A typical home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air moving 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 troubles or big energy expenses after employing these tips, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help. We are able to diagnose and repair air conditioning problems, provide preventative maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a newer, high-efficiency model. For your ease of mind, we back 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 the U.S.. 

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