13 Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips for Homeowners

You may not think twice about cranking up the air conditioning when it’s scorching hot outside—until you see your energy bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the everyday U.S. home’s annual energy expenses and up to 70% of your utility costs during the summer. If you’re frustrated by paying 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 accumulate in your air conditioner over time, decreasing efficiency. Schedule 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 allows your serviceman to find and fix any potential issues before they become significant problems. 
2. Keep the outdoor unit free of junk: Loose debris and nearby flowers growing around your air conditioner can restrict airflow and make the system work harder. Examine the unit throughout the summer, trimming back vegetation and removing debris as needed to keep your cooling system working properly. 
3. Buy a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat allows you to set automatic temperatures based on your schedule. 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. Try to avoid overriding programmed settings: While you can always 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 modify 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 squander power. 
5. Make use of the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode circulates air to keep 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, avoiding unwanted energy waste. 
6. Block solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, installing outside awnings and applying window film helps block the sun’s heat to keep your house cooler. These strategies are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines straight inside the house. 
7. Install the outdoor unit in the shade: Direct sunlight makes your system to work harder and reduces 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 empty rooms saves energy. However, 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 all of the time and ensure that no vents are obstructed by rugs, curtains or furniture. 
9. Use ceiling fans in tandem with your air conditioner: Ceiling fans move air throughout the room, creating 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 decreasing your bills. 
10. Use a dehumidifier: High humidity induces a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may force you to routinely lower the temperature. In fact, 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 stop cool air from getting out. If you live in somewhere with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors overnight to cool off the house naturally, reducing the strain on your air conditioner. 
12. Seal air leaks: Leaky windows and doors let hot summer air inside 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 belongs.  
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 halt this energy waste. 

If you still have comfort troubles or extreme energy expenses after employing these tips, turn to Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help. We are able to diagnose and repair air conditioning concerns, provide preventative maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a brand-new, high-efficiency model. For your peace of mind, we back everything we do with a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee! Reach out to a Service Experts office near you today to learn more or request air conditioning services in the U.S..