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 everyday U.S. home’s 12-month energy expenses and up to 70% of your utility expenses during the summer. If you’re sick of overpaying for air conditioning, practice these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly expenses. 

1. Prioritize routine service: Dirt and debris collect in your air conditioner over time, reducing 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 enables your tech to identify and fix any potential issues before they become major problems. 
2. Keep the outdoor unit free of obstructions: Loose dirt and nearby flowers growing around your air conditioner can minimize airflow and make the system work harder. Check the unit throughout the summer, trimming back vegetation and cleaning up debris as needed to keep your cooling system operating effectively. 
3. Buy a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat permits 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 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 have to change the temperature, do so by only a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature won’t cool your home any faster and only serves to needlessly consume electricity. 
5. Use the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode circulates air to prevent 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 unwanted energy 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 home cooler. These strategies are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines right inside the house. 
7. Install the outdoor part of your system in the shade: Direct sunlight makes your system to work harder and reduces efficiency. So if you can, position the condensing unit so it’s shaded in the afternoon.  
8. Keep your air vents open: It’s a frequent misconception that closing the vents in unused rooms helps you to save energy. Unfortunately, this throws off the supply and return air balance, making your AC less efficient. Generally speaking, keep at least 80% of your registers open continuously and make certain no vents are blocked by rugs, curtains or furniture. 
9. Use ceiling fans in conjunction 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 could allow you to increase the temperature a few degrees without feeling unpleasant, reducing 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 compel you to frequently lower the temperature. In fact, you need less humidity, rather than cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier takes away excess moisture, making your home feel more comfortable for a fraction of the cost of air conditioning. 
11. Use natural ventilation sensibly: When it’s hot and humid outside, keep your windows and doors closed to prevent 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 strain 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 in the house where it is supposed to be.  
13. Seal duct leaks: An average home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air inside of it to leaks, holes and badly connected ducts. Reach out to a professional to seal your ductwork and put an end to this energy waste. 

If you still have comfort troubles or large energy expenses after implementing 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 new, high-efficiency model. For your ease of mind, we back everything 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..