You may very well not think twice about cranking up the air conditioning when it’s sweltering outside—until you see your energy bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the typical U.S. home’s annual energy expenses and up to 70% of your utility expenses during the summer. If you’re tired of overpaying for air conditioning, try these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly expenses.
- Prioritize routine upkeep: 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, switch out the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving elements and more. A yearly inspection also makes it possible for your serviceman to discover and fix any potential issues before they become severe problems.
- Keep the outdoor unit free of blockages: Loose dirt and nearby weeds growing around your air conditioner can restrict airflow and make the system work harder. Check the unit throughout the summer, trimming back vegetation and removing debris as needed to keep your cooling system functioning correctly.
- Buy a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat helps you to set automatic temperatures based on your lifestyle. 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 lowers energy consumption and saves money without sacrificing comfort.
- Stay away from overriding programmed settings: While you can always override the temperature on your programmable thermostat, try turning on a fan or shedding a layer of clothes before you change the setting. When you need to adjust the temperature, do so by merely a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature won’t cool your home any quicker and only serves to squander 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 needless power waste.
- Stop solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, installing exterior awnings and applying window film helps block the sun’s heat to keep your property cooler. These strategies are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines right inside the house.
- Install the outdoor part of your system in the shade: Direct sunlight can force your system to work harder and decreases efficiency. So, if you can, 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 helps you to save energy. The truth is, this throws off the supply and return air equilibrium, making your AC less efficient. By and large, keep at least 80% of your registers open continuously and make certain no vents are blocked by rugs, curtains or furniture.
- Use ceiling fans in tandem with your air conditioner: Ceiling fans move air throughout the room, generating a wind chill effect that makes you feel about 4 degrees cooler. This could allow you to turn up the temperature a few degrees without feeling unpleasant, lowering your dependence on the air conditioner and decreasing your bills.
- Use a dehumidifier: High humidity fosters a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may force you to repeatedly lower the temperature. In fact, you need less humidity, instead of cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier takes away extra moisture, making your home feel more comfortable for a fraction of the cost of air conditioning.
- Use natural ventilation sensibly: When it’s hot and humid outside, keep your windows and doors closed to restrict cool air from leaking out. If you live 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 allow hot summer air inside of the house 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 should be.
- Seal duct leaks: A standard 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 stop this energy waste.
If you still have comfort troubles or extreme energy expenses after trying out these tips, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 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 confidence, we support all the work that 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 Canada.