13 Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

You might not think twice about turning up the air conditioning when it’s sweltering outside—until you see your electricity bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the typical U.S. home’s yearly 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 upkeep: Dirt and debris collect in your air conditioner over time, reducing efficiency. Plan annual maintenance to have a specialist clean your unit’s coils, exchange the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving parts and more. A yearly inspection also makes it possible for your tech to find and fix any potential issues before they become severe problems. 
2. Keep the outdoor unit free of obstructions: Loose dirt and nearby weeds growing around your air conditioner can restrict airflow and make the system work harder. Examine the unit throughout the summer, trimming back vegetation and cleaning up debris as needed to keep your cooling system operating effectively. 
3. Install a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat allows you to set automatic temperatures based on your schedule. In the summertime, program a higher temperature when you’re away from your house or apartment and have it resume a comfortable temperature before you come 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 taking off a layer of clothes before you change the setting. When you have to adjust the temperature, do so by only a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature won’t cool your home any quicker and only serves to needlessly consume energy. 
5. Make use of the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode circulates air to keep 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, reducing unwanted power waste. 
6. Prevent solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, installing outdoor awnings and applying window film helps block the sun’s heat to keep your home cooler. These techniques are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines straight inside. 
7. Install the outdoor unit 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 shaded in the afternoon.  
8. Keep your air vents open: It’s a often-held misconception that closing the vents in unused rooms saves energy. The truth is, this throws off the supply and return air symmetry, making your AC not as efficient. As a rule, 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 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 increase 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 creates a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may influence you to frequently lower the temperature. In reality, you need less humidity, not cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier takes away unwanted 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 restrict cool air from escaping. If you reside in in an area with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors at 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 challenging and more expensive to keep things cool. Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping to keep conditioned air inside where it should be.  
13. Seal duct leaks: A standard home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air flowing through it to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts. Reach out to a professional to seal your ductwork and put an end to this energy waste. 

If you still have comfort issues or large energy expenses after trying out these tips, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help. We will diagnose and repair air conditioning concerns, provide preventative maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a newer, high-efficiency model. For your confidence, we stand behind everything 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 North America.