13 Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

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

1. Prioritize routine maintenance: Dirt and debris collect in your air conditioner over time, decreasing efficiency. Schedule annual maintenance to have a specialist clean your unit’s coils, replace the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving elements and more. A once-per-year inspection also enables your tech to find and fix any potential issues before they become severe problems. 
2. Keep the outdoor unit free of junk: Loose trash and nearby trees growing around your air conditioner can restrict airflow and make the system work harder. Check the unit throughout the summer, pruning back vegetation and sweeping up debris as needed to keep your cooling system working effectively. 
3. Set up a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat enables you to set automatic temperatures based on your routine. In the summer months, program a higher temperature when you’re away from your residence and have it resume a comfortable temperature before you come back. This reduces energy consumption and saves money without sacrificing comfort. 
4. Stay away from 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 change 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 electricity. 
5. Make use of the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode spreads air to stop 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, preventing unnecessary energy waste. 
6. Block solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, putting in outdoor awnings and applying window film helps block the sun’s heat to keep your house cooler. These strategies are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines directly inside. 
7. Install the outdoor part of your system in the shade: Direct sunlight can force your system to work harder and decreases 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 frequent misconception that closing the vents in empty rooms saves energy. However, this throws off the supply and return air symmetry, making your AC less efficient. As a rule, keep at least 80% of your registers open at all times and ensure that no vents are blocked by rugs, curtains or furniture. 
9. Use ceiling fans along 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 may allow you to raise the temperature a few degrees without feeling uncomfortable, lowering your dependence on the air conditioner and bringing down your bills. 
10. Use a dehumidifier: High humidity induces a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may force you to repeatedly lower the temperature. In fact, you need less humidity, rather than cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier removes unwanted 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 leaking out. If you live in in a place 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. 
12. Seal air leaks: Leaky windows and doors let hot summer air inside of the house 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 of your home where it needs to be.  
13. Seal duct leaks: An average home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air moving through it to leaks, holes and badly connected ducts. Call a professional to seal your ductwork and put a stop to this energy waste. 

If you still have comfort problems or extreme energy costs after implementing 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 new, high-efficiency model. For your security, we stand behind 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..