You may very well not think twice about turning up the air conditioning when it’s warm outside—until you see your electric bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the typical U.S. home’s annual energy expenses and up to 70% of your utility costs during the summer. If you’re frustrated by spending too much for air conditioning, try these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly expenditures.
- Prioritize routine maintenance: Dirt and debris accumulate 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 pieces and more. A yearly inspection also enables your technician to find and fix any potential issues before they become major problems.
- Keep the outdoor unit free of obstructions: Loose debris and nearby vegetation growing around your air conditioner can restrict airflow and make the system work harder. Check the unit throughout the summer, trimming back vegetation and sweeping debris as needed to keep your cooling system working 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 come back. This decreases energy consumption and saves money without decreasing comfort.
- Avoid overriding programmed settings: While you could 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 modify the temperature, do so by only a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature will not cool your home any quicker and only serves to squander energy.
- Utilize the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode spreads 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 unwanted electricity waste.
- Stop 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 in.
- 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 out of the direct sunlight in the afternoon.
- Keep your air vents open: It’s a frequent misconception that closing the vents in empty rooms saves energy. The truth is, 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 all of the time and make certain no vents are obstructed by rugs, curtains or furniture.
- Use ceiling fans in tandem 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 turn up the temperature a few degrees without feeling unpleasant, lowering your dependence on the air conditioner and minimizing your bills.
- Use a dehumidifier: High humidity fosters a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may force you to frequently lower the temperature. Actually, you need less humidity, instead of cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier removes 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 prevent cool air from getting outside. If you reside in an area with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors during the night 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 more difficult and more expensive to keep things cool. Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping to keep conditioned air in the house where it needs to be.
- Seal duct leaks: A standard home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air inside of it to leaks, holes and shoddily connected ducts. Reach out to a professional to seal your ductwork and put a stop to this energy waste.
If you still have comfort problems or large energy bills after employing these tips, turn to Epperson Service Experts for help. We [can|are able to|will]130] diagnose and repair air conditioning issues, provide preventive maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a brand-new, high-efficiency model. For your ease of mind, we back every single thing 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 Hilton Head Island.