13 Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

You might not think twice about turning up the air conditioning when it’s hot outside—until you see your power bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the everyday U.S. home’s annual energy costs and up to 70% of your utility spending during the summer. If you’re frustrated by overpaying for air conditioning, follow these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly expenses.

    1. Prioritize routine maintenance: Dirt and debris collect in your air conditioner over time, lowering efficiency. Make appointments for annual maintenance to have a specialist clean your unit’s coils, exchange the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving parts and more. A yearly inspection also allows your tech to discover and fix any potential issues before they become severe problems.
    1. Keep the outdoor unit free of junk: Loose debris and nearby flowers growing around your air conditioner can restrict airflow and make the system work harder. Look at the unit throughout the summer, clipping back vegetation and sweeping up debris as needed to keep your cooling system functioning properly.
    1. 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 residence and have it resume a comfortable temperature before you get back. This reduces energy consumption and saves money without sacrificing comfort.
    1. Stay away from overriding programmed settings: While you are able to 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 change the temperature, do so by merely a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature will not cool your home any quicker and only serves to needlessly consume energy.
    1. Make use of 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, reducing needless power waste.
    1. Block solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, installing outside awnings and applying window film helps block the sun’s heat to keep your residence cooler. These strategies are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines right in.
    1. Install the outdoor unit in the shade: Direct sunlight can force your system to work harder and reduces efficiency. So if possible, position the condensing unit so it’s in the shade in the afternoon.
    1. Keep your air vents open: It’s a common misconception that closing the vents in rarely used rooms saves energy. However, this throws off the supply and return air balance, making your AC not as efficient. Generally speaking, keep at least 80% of your registers open at all times and make certain no vents are hindered by rugs, curtains or furniture.
    1. Use ceiling fans along with your air conditioner: Ceiling fans move air throughout the room, creating a wind chill effect that makes you feel about 4 degrees cooler. This might allow you to increase the temperature a few degrees without feeling unpleasant, dropping your dependence on the air conditioner and decreasing your bills.
    1. Use a dehumidifier: High humidity causes a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may compel you to frequently lower the temperature. In reality, you need less humidity, rather than cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier removes unwanted moisture, making your home feel more comfortable for a fraction of the cost of air conditioning.
    1. Use natural ventilation sensibly: When it’s hot and humid outside, keep your windows and doors closed to restrict cool air from getting out. If you live in in a place 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.
    1. 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 of your home where it needs to be.
    1. Seal duct leaks: A typical home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air moving through it to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts. Hire a professional to seal your ductwork and stop this energy waste.

If you still have comfort issues or big energy bills after employing these tips, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help. We will diagnose and repair air conditioning problems, provide preventative maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a new, high-efficiency model. For your peace of mind, we stand behind every single thing we do with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! Contact a Service Experts office near you today to learn more or request air conditioning services in North America.

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