13 Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

You might not think twice about cranking up the air conditioning when it’s hot outside—until you see your power bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the everyday U.S. home’s annual energy costs and up to 70% of your utility spending 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 expenditures. 

1. Prioritize routine servicing: Dirt and debris build up in your air conditioner over time, reducing efficiency. Plan 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 makes it possible for your technician to find and fix any potential issues before they become major problems. 
2. Keep the outdoor unit free of obstructions: Loose trash and nearby trees growing around your air conditioner can minimize airflow and make the system work harder. Look at the unit throughout the summer, pruning back vegetation and removing debris as needed to keep your cooling system working correctly. 
3. Buy a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat permits you to set automatic temperatures based on your routine. In the summer, 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. 
4. Stay away from overriding programmed settings: While you are able to bypass the temperature on your programmable thermostat, try turning on a fan or removing 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 won’t cool your home any faster and only serves to needlessly consume energy. 
5. Make use of 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 electricity waste. 
6. Block solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, putting in exterior awnings and applying window film helps block the sun’s heat to keep your house cooler. These techniques are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines straight inside the house. 
7. Install the outdoor part of your system in the shade: Direct sunlight makes your system to work harder and lowers efficiency. So if possible, position the condensing unit so it’s out of the direct sunlight in the afternoon.  
8. Keep your air vents open: It’s a often-held misconception that closing the vents in rarely used rooms helps you to save energy. The truth is, this throws off the supply and return air equilibrium, making your AC much less efficient. By and large, keep at least 80% of your registers open at all times and make certain 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 might allow you to increase the temperature a few degrees without feeling unpleasant, reducing your dependence on the air conditioner and decreasing your bills. 
10. Use a dehumidifier: High humidity induces a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may influence you to repeatedly lower the temperature. In reality, you need less humidity, rather than cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier removes excessive moisture, making your home feel more comfortable for a fraction of the cost of air conditioning. 
11. Use natural ventilation wisely: 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 somewhere with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors overnight 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 harder 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.  
13. Seal duct leaks: An average home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air flowing through it to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts. Hire a professional to seal your ductwork and put an end to this energy waste. 

If you still have comfort issues or big energy bills after trying out these tips, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help. We will diagnose and repair air conditioning problems, provide preventative maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a new, high-efficiency model. For your ease of mind, we back every single thing we do with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! Reach out to a Service Experts office near you today to learn more or request air conditioning services in North America.