One of the best ways to keep cool this summer is to turn on the AC. Many homeowners have one or two units installed throughout the house, and there is little doubt that they’re an absolute godsend during sweltering summer afternoons. However, as the temperature rises, so does your energy consumption. Is it possible to reduce AC bill without sacrificing the cool comfort of your home?
We’ve got six steps here that say yes, it is entirely possible.
Keep the Filter Clean
Many people don’t realize how much energy they stand to save if they keep the air conditioner’s filters clean. The efficiency of an air conditioning unit is dictated by its ability to circulate air around a room, and then keep the entire room at a specific temperature. If something is obstructing the air flow, the unit should increase its efforts to keep the air circulating and the temperature even. The harder the unit works, the more energy it consumes.
Break Out the Fans
Use stand fans and ceiling fans to help cool air flow around the room. The faster the cold air circulates, the faster the room reaches desired temperature. This translates to your air conditioning unit doing less to achieve its desired result or temperature. If you want to reduce AC bill, then lessen the unit’s workload effectively.
Invest in Programmable Thermostats
If you’re prone to taking a nap while the AC is on, invest in a programmable thermostat that can make your life easier. This way, the thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature in the room while you’re away, asleep, or otherwise occupied.
Newer models offer a myriad of options for complete, hands-free control. For instance, you can set the system so that it turns off after a few hours, or you can get it to automatically switch to a higher temperature during a time of the day.
Don’t Add to The Heat
The warmer a room is, the harder your air conditioner must work to keep the temperature even. Help your unit out—and save more energy—by keeping the room as cool as possible. Check other appliances that are prone to giving off heat, such as the stove, the oven, or the dryer. Avoid running these appliances while the AC is on. Alternatively, cut their runtime in half or try to run on them on the lowest temperature possible.
>>Learn How to Ensure Your Air Conditioner Is Prepared for the Summer Heat
Close the Windows
Keeping the windows open while the air conditioner is running is both impractical and wasteful. As we mentioned earlier, for the sake of efficiency you want to help your unit circulate the air. With the cold air leaking out through the windows minimal circulation is happening. Ergo, your unit is working twice as hard to keep the whole room at an even temperature.
And on that note, you should also consider sealing your windows. Poorly sealed windows can have the same effect as keeping windows open—just on a smaller scale.
Get Your AC Serviced Regularly
You need to invest in getting your AC unit serviced regularly. This is perhaps the best way to keep your air conditioner efficiently running, long-term. Frequent check-ups by a licensed technician increase the chances of catching and fixing potential problems in your unit before they can cause irreparable damage. The longer you wait to have your AC serviced, the higher the risk of something negatively affecting your air conditioner’s performance.
When an air conditioner performs optimally, it uses less energy. Less energy used helps you reduce AC bill. Ergo, you should seek the aid of a licensed professional if your unit is no longer performing as it should. He/she can help you decide on the best course of action to address this situation adequately.
