13 Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

You may not think twice about turning up the air conditioning when it’s warm outside—until you see your energy bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the everyday U.S. home’s 12-month energy costs and up to 70% of your utility expenses during the summer. If you’re tired of overpaying for air conditioning, try these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly expenditures.

    1. Prioritize routine servicing: Dirt and debris accumulate in your air conditioner over time, reducing efficiency. Make appointments for annual maintenance to have a technician clean your unit’s coils, replace the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving pieces and more. A yearly inspection also enables your technician to identify and fix any potential issues before they become severe problems.
    1. Keep the outdoor unit free of blockages: Loose debris and nearby weeds growing around your air conditioner can reduce airflow and make the system work harder. Examine the unit throughout the summer, clipping back vegetation and sweeping up debris as needed to keep your cooling system functioning properly.
    1. Set up a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat enables you to set automatic temperatures based on your schedule. In the summer months, program a higher temperature when you’re away from your house or apartment and have it resume a comfortable temperature before you get back. This reduces energy consumption and saves money without sacrificing comfort.
    1. Avoid overriding programmed settings: While you are able to bypass the temperature on your programmable thermostat, try turning on a fan or taking off a layer of clothes before you change the setting. When you need to adjust the temperature, do so by merely a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature won’t cool your home any quicker and only serves to squander power.
    1. Use the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode spreads air to keep 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 unnecessary power waste.
    1. Prevent solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, getting 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 inside.
    1. Install the outdoor part of your system in the shade: Direct sunlight can force your system to work harder and decreases efficiency. So if feasible, position the condensing unit so it’s in the shade in the afternoon.
    1. Keep your air vents open: It’s a often-held misconception that closing the vents in unused rooms conserves energy. Unfortunately, this throws off the supply and return air balance, making your AC less efficient. As a rule, keep at least 80% of your registers open all the time and make sure no vents are obstructed by rugs, curtains or furniture.
    1. 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 raise the temperature a few degrees without feeling uncomfortable, reducing your dependence on the air conditioner and lowering your bills.
    1. Use a dehumidifier: High humidity induces a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may influence you to routinely lower the temperature. In reality, you need less humidity, not necessarily 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.
    1. Use natural ventilation carefully: When it’s hot and humid outside, keep your windows and doors closed to prevent cool air from leaking out. If you are living in in an area with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors during the night to cool off the house naturally, reducing the burden on your air conditioner.
    1. Seal air leaks: Leaky windows and doors allow hot summer air indoors even when closed, making it harder and more expensive to keep things cool. Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping to keep conditioned air inside of your home where it belongs.
    1. Seal duct leaks: A typical home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air moving through it to leaks, holes and badly connected ducts. Reach out to a professional to seal your ductwork and put an end to this energy waste.

If you still have comfort issues or high energy bills after trying out these tips, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help. We can diagnose and repair air conditioning problems, provide preventative maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a brand-new, high-efficiency model. For your security, we back 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 North America.

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