13 Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

You may very well not think twice about cranking up the air conditioning when it’s hot outside—until you see your electricity bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the everyday U.S. home’s 12-month energy expenses and up to 70% of your utility expenses during the summer. If you’re tired of paying too much for air conditioning, follow these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly bills. 

1. Prioritize routine upkeep: Dirt and debris build up in your air conditioner over time, decreasing efficiency. Schedule annual maintenance to have a technician clean your unit’s coils, exchange the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving pieces and more. A yearly 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 debris and nearby vegetation growing around your air conditioner can restrict airflow and make the system work harder. Look at the unit throughout the summer, pruning back vegetation and cleaning up debris as needed to keep your cooling system functioning correctly. 
3. Install a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat permits you to set automatic temperatures based on your routine. In the summertime, program a higher temperature when you’re away from your house or apartment and have it resume a comfortable temperature before you return. This reduces energy consumption and saves money without sacrificing comfort. 
4. Avoid overriding programmed settings: While you could 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 adjust the temperature, do so by merely a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature will not cool your home any quicker and only serves to needlessly consume energy. 
5. Use the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode moves air to stop 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, reducing needless energy waste. 
6. Block 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 techniques are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines straight in. 
7. Install the outdoor unit in the shade: Direct sunlight makes your system to work harder and lowers efficiency. So if feasible, position the condensing unit so it’s out of the direct sunlight in the afternoon.  
8. Keep your air vents open: It’s a common misconception that closing the vents in rarely used rooms helps you to save energy. Unfortunately, this throws off the supply and return air symmetry, making your AC less efficient. Generally speaking, 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 might allow you to raise the temperature a few degrees without feeling unpleasant, reducing your dependence on the air conditioner and bringing down your bills. 
10. Use a dehumidifier: High humidity creates a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may influence you to repeatedly lower the temperature. In fact, you need less humidity, rather than cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier removes excess moisture, making your home feel more comfortable for a fraction of the cost of air conditioning. 
11. Use natural ventilation carefully: When it’s hot and humid outside, keep your windows and doors closed to stop cool air from getting out. If you are living in in a place with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors at night 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 much harder and more expensive to keep things cool. Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping to keep conditioned air inside of your home where it should be.  
13. 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 issues or extreme energy expenses after implementing these tips, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help. We will diagnose and repair air conditioning concerns, provide preventative maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a brand-new, high-efficiency model. For your ease of mind, we support 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 the U.S..