13 Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

You might not think twice about cranking up the air conditioning when it’s hot outside—until you see your energy bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the typical U.S. home’s yearly energy expenditures and up to 70% of your utility expenses during the summer. If you’re frustrated by paying too much for air conditioning, practice these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly expenditures. 

1. Prioritize routine maintenance: Dirt and debris accumulate in your air conditioner over time, decreasing efficiency. Schedule annual maintenance to have a professional 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 tech to discover and fix any potential issues before they become significant problems. 
2. Keep the outdoor unit free of obstructions: Loose dirt and nearby flowers growing around your air conditioner can minimize airflow and make the system work harder. Check the unit throughout the summer, pruning back vegetation and cleaning up debris as needed to keep your cooling system functioning properly. 
3. Buy a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat permits you to set automatic temperatures based on your routine. 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 come back. This reduces energy consumption and saves money without sacrificing comfort. 
4. Try to avoid 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 want to adjust the temperature, do so by merely a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature will never cool your home any quicker and only serves to waste electricity. 
5. Utilize the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode spreads air to prevent 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, preventing unwanted energy waste. 
6. Stop 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 inside. 
7. Install the outdoor part of your system in the shade: Direct sunlight can force your system to work harder and lowers efficiency. So if you can, position the condensing unit so it’s in the shade in the afternoon.  
8. Keep your air vents open: It’s a common misconception that closing the vents in unused rooms conserves energy. Unfortunately, this throws off the supply and return air symmetry, making your AC less efficient. By and large, keep at least 80% of your registers open continuously and ensure that no vents are hindered by rugs, curtains or furniture. 
9. 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 may allow you to raise the temperature a few degrees without feeling unpleasant, lowering your dependence on the air conditioner and decreasing your bills. 
10. Use a dehumidifier: High humidity causes a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may influence you to routinely lower the temperature. In fact, you need less humidity, rather than cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier takes away unwanted moisture, making your home feel more comfortable for a fraction of the cost of air conditioning. 
11. Use natural ventilation sensibly: When it’s hot and humid outside, keep your windows and doors closed to stop cool air from escaping. If you live in in an area with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors overnight to cool off the house naturally, reducing the burden on your air conditioner. 
12. 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 inside where it should be.  
13. Seal duct leaks: An average home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air inside of it to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts. Reach out to a professional to seal your ductwork and halt this energy waste. 

If you still have comfort problems or extreme energy costs after employing these tips, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help. We are able to diagnose and repair air conditioning issues, provide preventative maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a new, high-efficiency model. For your ease of mind, we back 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 the U.S..