13 Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

You may very well not think twice about revving up the air conditioning when it’s warm outside—until you see your energy bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the average U.S. home’s yearly energy expenses and up to 70% of your utility costs during the summer. If you’re sick of spending too much for air conditioning, try these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly bills.

1. 1. Prioritize routine upkeep: 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 parts and more. A yearly inspection also makes it possible for your serviceman to find and fix any potential issues before they become major problems.

1. 1. Keep the outdoor unit free of blockages: Loose trash 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 cleaning up debris as needed to keep your cooling system working correctly.

1. 1. Set up a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat allows you to set automatic temperatures based on your lifestyle. In the warm months, program a higher temperature when you’re away from home and have it resume a comfortable temperature before you get back. This reduces energy consumption and saves money without sacrificing comfort.

1. 1. Avoid overriding programmed settings: While you are able to bypass 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 change the temperature, do so by only a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature will never cool your home any quicker and only serves to waste energy.

1. 1. Make use of the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode spreads air to prevent rooms from becoming stuffy, HVAC professionals advocate using this setting sparingly. “Auto fan” is the more efficient setting because the blower only runs when the rest of the AC does, avoiding unwanted energy waste.

1. 1. Prevent solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, putting in 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 straight in.

1. 1. Install the outdoor unit in the shade: Direct sunlight causes your system to work harder and decreases efficiency. So if you can, position the condensing unit so it’s out of the direct sunlight in the afternoon.

1. 1. Keep your air vents open: It’s a often-held misconception that closing the vents in rarely used rooms saves energy. Unfortunately, this throws off the supply and return air equilibrium, making your AC much less efficient. Generally speaking, keep at least 80% of your registers open all of the time and make sure no vents are obstructed by rugs, curtains or furniture.

1. 1. Use ceiling fans in conjunction with your air conditioner: Ceiling fans distribute air throughout the room, generating a wind chill effect that makes you feel about 4 degrees cooler. This could allow you to turn up the temperature a few degrees without feeling hot, reducing your dependence on the air conditioner and decreasing your bills.

1. 1. Use a dehumidifier: High humidity causes a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may force you to routinely lower the temperature. Actually, you need less humidity, rather than cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier eliminates excess moisture, making your home feel more comfortable for a fraction of the cost of air conditioning.

1. 1. Use natural ventilation sensibly: When it’s hot and humid outside, keep your windows and doors closed to prevent cool air from getting out. If you are living in in a place with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors overnight to cool off the house naturally, reducing the strain on your air conditioner.

1. 1. Seal air leaks: Leaky windows and doors allow hot summer air inside of the house 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 is supposed to be.

1. 1. Seal duct leaks: An average home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air flowing through it to leaks, holes and shoddily connected ducts. Hire a professional to seal your ductwork and put an end to this energy waste.

If you still have comfort troubles or extreme energy bills after employing 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 newer, 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.