You might not think twice about turning up the air conditioning when it’s sweltering 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 costs during the summer. If you’re tired of paying too much for air conditioning, practice these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly bills.
- Prioritize routine maintenance: Dirt and debris build up in your air conditioner over time, lowering efficiency. Plan annual maintenance to have a professional 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 identify and fix any potential issues before they become major problems.
- Keep the outdoor unit free of junk: Loose debris and nearby plants growing around your air conditioner can restrict airflow and make the system work harder. Examine the unit throughout the summer, pruning back vegetation and cleaning up debris as needed to keep your cooling system operating correctly.
- Install a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat enables 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 return. This decreases energy consumption and saves money without sacrificing comfort.
- Avoid 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 need to adjust the temperature, do so by only a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature will not cool your home any quicker and only serves to squander power.
- Make use of the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode moves air to prevent 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, preventing needless electricity waste.
- Prevent solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, putting in 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 the house.
- Install the outdoor components in the shade: Direct sunlight makes your system to work harder and reduces 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 empty rooms saves energy. Unfortunately, this throws off the supply and return air equilibrium, making your AC much less efficient. As a rule, keep at least 80% of your registers open at all times 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, generating 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, dropping 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 force you to routinely lower the temperature. In reality, you need less humidity, rather than 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 prevent cool air from leaking out. If you live in a place with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors during the night to cool off the house naturally, reducing the burden on your air conditioner.
- Seal air leaks: Leaky windows and doors allow hot summer air inside even when closed, making it more difficult and more expensive to keep things cool. Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping to keep conditioned air in the house where it is supposed to be.
- Seal duct leaks: A standard home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air inside of it to leaks, holes and badly connected ducts. Reach out to a professional to seal your ductwork and eliminate this energy waste.
If you still have comfort issues or large energy costs after employing these tips, turn to Coastal Service Experts for help. We [can|are able to|will]130] diagnose and repair air conditioning concerns, provide preventive maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a newer, high-efficiency model. For your confidence, we back 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 Savannah.