13 Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

You may not think twice about turning up the air conditioning when it’s sweltering outside—until you see your power bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the average 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, practice these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly expenditures. 

1. Prioritize routine service: Dirt and debris collect in your air conditioner over time, lowering efficiency. Make appointments for annual maintenance to have a specialist clean your unit’s coils, switch out the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving parts and more. An annual inspection also enables your technician to discover and fix any potential issues before they become major problems. 
2. Keep the outdoor unit free of junk: Loose trash and nearby plants growing around your air conditioner can minimize airflow and make the system work harder. Look at the unit throughout the summer, clipping back vegetation and cleaning up debris as needed to keep your cooling system operating effectively. 
3. Put in a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat permits you to set automatic temperatures based on your lifestyle. In the warm months, program a higher temperature when you’re away from your residence and have it resume a comfortable temperature before you return. 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 removing a layer of clothes before you change the setting. When you have to change the temperature, do so by just a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature won’t cool your home any faster and only serves to needlessly consume power. 
5. Utilize the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode circulates 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, preventing unwanted power waste. 
6. Block solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, putting in outside awnings and applying window film helps block the sun’s heat to keep your home cooler. These strategies are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines directly inside the house. 
7. Install the outdoor part of your system in the shade: Direct sunlight makes 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.  
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 symmetry, making your AC not as 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 in tandem with your air conditioner: Ceiling fans circulate air throughout the room, producing a wind chill effect that makes you feel about 4 degrees cooler. This might allow you to turn up the temperature a few degrees without feeling hot, lowering your dependence on the air conditioner and minimizing your bills. 
10. 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 takes away excessive 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 restrict cool air from getting out. If you are living in in an area with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors overnight 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 indoors 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 belongs.  
13. Seal duct leaks: A standard home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air moving through it to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts. Hire a professional to seal your ductwork and put a stop to this energy waste. 

If you still have comfort problems or large energy expenses after employing these tips, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help. We can diagnose and repair air conditioning issues, provide preventative maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a newer, high-efficiency model. For your peace of mind, we support everything 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 the U.S..