You may not think twice about revving up the air conditioning when it’s sweltering outside—until you see your energy 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 sick of overpaying for air conditioning, practice these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly bills.
- Prioritize routine service: Dirt and debris accumulate in your air conditioner over time, lowering efficiency. Schedule annual maintenance to have a technician clean your unit’s coils, switch out the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving pieces and more. A yearly inspection also allows your technician to find and fix any potential issues before they become significant 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, clipping back vegetation and sweeping debris as needed to keep your cooling system functioning correctly.
- Put in a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat enables you to set automatic temperatures based on your routine. 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 come back. This reduces electrical consumption and saves money without losing comfort.
- Stay away from 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 want to modify the temperature, do so by merely a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature will never cool your home any faster and only serves to waste power.
- Utilize the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode spreads air to prevent 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, avoiding needless energy 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 residence cooler. These methods are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines directly in.
- 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 frequent misconception that closing the vents in rarely used rooms saves energy. Unfortunately, this throws off the supply and return air balance, making your AC less efficient. Generally speaking, keep at least 80% of your registers open all the time and make sure no vents are hindered by rugs, curtains or furniture.
- Use ceiling fans in conjunction 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 might allow you to turn up the temperature a few degrees without feeling unpleasant, reducing your dependence on the air conditioner and bringing down 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, rather than 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 wisely: When it’s hot and humid outside, keep your windows and doors closed to restrict cool air from escaping. If you reside in a place 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 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 inside of it to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts. Call a professional to seal your ductwork and eliminate this energy waste.
If you still have comfort problems or extreme energy bills after implementing these tips, turn to Strand Brothers Service Experts 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 ease of mind, we stand behind 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 Austin.