13 Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

You may not think twice about cranking 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 annual energy expenditures and up to 70% of your utility spending during the summer. If you’re tired of spending too much for air conditioning, follow these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly bills. 

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 elements and more. A yearly inspection also allows your tech to identify and fix any potential issues before they become significant problems. 
2. Keep the outdoor unit free of junk: Loose debris 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 cleaning up debris as needed to keep your cooling system operating properly. 
3. Install a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat allows 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 come back. This reduces energy consumption and saves money without sacrificing comfort. 
4. Avoid overriding programmed settings: While you are able to manually change 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 modify the temperature, do so by just a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature will never cool your home any more rapidly and only serves to squander electricity. 
5. Make use of the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode moves 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 unnecessary electricity 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 right in. 
7. Install the outdoor unit in the shade: Direct sunlight causes your system to work harder and lowers efficiency. So if possible, 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 rarely used rooms saves energy. However, this throws off the supply and return air equilibrium, making your AC less efficient. As a rule, keep at least 80% of your registers open at all times and ensure that no vents are hindered by rugs, curtains or furniture. 
9. Use ceiling fans along with your air conditioner: Ceiling fans distribute air throughout the room, producing a wind chill effect that makes you feel about 4 degrees cooler. This may 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 causes 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 excess 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 restrict cool air from leaking out. If you are living in somewhere 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 let hot summer air inside of the house 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 is supposed to be.  
13. Seal duct leaks: An average home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air moving through it to leaks, holes and shoddily connected ducts. Reach out to a professional to seal your ductwork and stop 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 concerns, provide preventative maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a new, high-efficiency model. For your peace of mind, we support 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..