You may not think twice about revving up the air conditioning when it’s hot outside—until you see your power bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the average U.S. home’s annual energy expenses and up to 70% of your utility costs during the summer. If you’re tired of paying too much for air conditioning, follow these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly expenses.
- Prioritize routine maintenance: Dirt and debris collect in your air conditioner over time, decreasing efficiency. Schedule annual maintenance to have a technician clean your unit’s coils, replace the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving parts and more. A once-per-year inspection also makes it possible for your serviceman to find and fix any potential issues before they become severe problems.
- Keep the outdoor unit free of junk: Loose dirt and nearby weeds 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 debris as needed to keep your cooling system working properly.
- Buy a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat allows you to set automatic temperatures based on your schedule. In the summer, program a higher temperature when you’re away from home and have it resume a comfortable temperature before you come back. This decreases electrical consumption and saves money without decreasing comfort.
- Try to avoid overriding programmed settings: While you are able to manually change the temperature on your programmable thermostat, try turning on a fan or removing a layer of clothes before you change the setting. When you need to modify the temperature, do so by just a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature will never cool your home any faster and only serves to needlessly consume electricity.
- Use 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 unnecessary power waste.
- Block solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, installing outdoor awnings and applying window film helps block the sun’s heat to keep your residence cooler. These methods are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines directly inside the house.
- Install the outdoor part of your system 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 common misconception that closing the vents in unused 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 continuously and ensure that no vents are blocked by rugs, curtains or furniture.
- Use ceiling fans along with your air conditioner: Ceiling fans circulate air throughout the room, producing 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 hot, reducing 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 compel you to repeatedly lower the temperature. Actually, 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 stop cool air from leaking out. If you live somewhere with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors overnight to cool off the house naturally, reducing the load on your air conditioner.
- Seal air leaks: Leaky windows and doors allow hot summer air indoors 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 where it should be.
- Seal duct leaks: A standard home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air flowing through it to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts. Call a professional to seal your ductwork and put an end to this energy waste.
If you still have comfort problems or high energy costs after employing these tips, turn to Church Services 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 newer, high-efficiency model. For your confidence, we stand behind every single thing 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 Houston.