13 Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

You may very well not think twice about turning up the air conditioning when it’s scorching hot outside—until you see your electricity bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the average U.S. home’s yearly energy costs and up to 70% of your utility costs during the summer. If you’re frustrated by overpaying for air conditioning, practice these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly bills. 

1. Prioritize routine servicing: Dirt and debris accumulate 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 pieces and more. A once-per-year inspection also enables 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 plants growing around your air conditioner can restrict airflow and make the system work harder. Examine the unit throughout the summer, pruning back vegetation and sweeping up debris as needed to keep your cooling system functioning correctly. 
3. Set up a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat enables you to set automatic temperatures based on your schedule. 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. Try to avoid overriding programmed settings: While you are able to override the temperature on your programmable thermostat, try turning on a fan or taking off a layer of clothes before you change the setting. When you need to adjust the temperature, do so by just a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature will not cool your home any quicker and only serves to squander energy. 
5. Utilize the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode moves air to prevent 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 unwanted energy waste. 
6. Prevent solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, getting outdoor awnings and applying window film helps block the sun’s heat to keep your residence cooler. These methods are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines straight inside. 
7. Install the outdoor components in the shade: Direct sunlight can force your system to work harder and lowers efficiency. So if feasible, 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 rarely used rooms helps you to save energy. Unfortunately, this throws off the supply and return air equilibrium, making your AC not as efficient. Generally speaking, keep at least 80% of your registers open at all times and make sure no vents are obstructed by rugs, curtains or furniture. 
9. Use ceiling fans along with your air conditioner: Ceiling fans distribute air throughout the room, creating 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 uncomfortable, lowering your dependence on the air conditioner and decreasing your bills. 
10. Use a dehumidifier: High humidity causes a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may influence you to frequently lower the temperature. Actually, you need less humidity, not 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 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 an area 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 give access to 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 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 poorly connected ducts. Call a professional to seal your ductwork and put a stop to this energy waste. 

If you still have comfort problems or high energy bills after implementing these tips, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help. We are able to diagnose and repair air conditioning issues, provide preventative maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a new, high-efficiency model. For your ease 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..