As the weather gets warmer, you might find yourself adjusting your home’s AC settings for the summer. Whether you have central air, ductless mini-splits or window units, it helps to find the most efficient way to use air conditioning. In Southern Maryland and the surrounding area, AC use accounts for 12% of home energy expenditures. Finding ways to maximize your air conditioner’s efficiency will help you enjoy lower energy bills without having to give up your comfort.
How to Save Money on Air Conditioning
How can you reduce your AC use and electricity bill? In some cases, a few small changes around the house can help you use your air conditioning economically. Depending on the age of your AC unit and the condition it is in, though, making larger changes might be the key to saving money on your energy bills.
Here are some of the ways, both big and small, you can save money on air conditioning.
1. Take Care of Your AC
If you want to save money on your AC, keeping your system well-maintained is essential.
An AC system running at peak efficiency will reduce energy expenditure. Additionally, routinely servicing the system makes it less likely to break down and saves you from having to replace it completely. Keep in mind that the 2016 American Home Comfort Study showed nearly a third of all HVAC purchases were made after equipment breakdown.
Taking care of your AC unit starts with an annual tune-up, performed by a professionally-trained technician. During an annual tune-up, a technician will inspect your air conditioner, clean it, change the air filters and let you know if they recommend more substantial repairs or replacement. Even a small change to your AC unit, such as replacing or cleaning the air filters, can reduce your unit’s energy use by up to 15%.
2. Raise Your Thermostat
Some people like their homes to be as cold as an icebox, even in the midst of summer. Although keeping your home at 72 degrees or even cooler in the summer can feel refreshing, especially in contrast to the Maryland heat, it can also result in sky-high energy bills.
Raising your air conditioner’s temperature setting by at least 7 degrees can help to lower your energy bills by about 10% per year. You can set the thermostat to 78 degrees, for example, when you know no one will be home. If you can stand it, try to keep the temperature for your air conditioner at 75 degrees in the summer, even when you are home. You will still be comfortable but will end up spending a lot less on electricity.
3. Seal up Your Home
When you are paying money to cool your home, you want to do as much as possible to keep that cool air inside the house. Your AC needs to work harder, leading to higher electricity bills, if most of the chilled air seeps out through cracks or openings around your windows and doors.
Sealing your home will help to keep the cold air inside during the warmer months of the year. It will also help you save money on heating when it is cold outside, as it will help to keep warm air inside. A well-sealed home also keeps the hot or cold air from outside of the house out.
When sealing your home, some areas to focus on include the windows and doors. You can caulk around the door and window frames to create a tighter seal and to block any small openings. It is also worthwhile to caulk or seal cracks or openings around electrical outlets, light switches and recessed lighting.
Adding insulation to your home can help you reduce summer air conditioning use as well. The insulation will slow down the rate at which cold air seeps out from the house. Your AC unit will not have to work as hard to keep the interior at a comfortable temperature.
4. Increase Shade
On a cold day, the sun’s rays can be warm and comforting. In the middle of summer, though, the sun’s heat can be intense. If the sun is shining directly into your home’s windows or directly on your AC unit, it can raise the temperature inside your house or increase the strain in your air conditioner, causing it to use more energy. Finding ways to increase the shade around your house or to keep the sun’s rays from coming in can help you save money.
A simple way to increase the shade is to keep the curtains or blinds drawn during the daytime.
Solar screens and window films can also be used to absorb and reflect heat during the summertime to help minimize your home’s cooling costs.
If you have a green thumb, planting trees or shrubs that shield your home and AC system from direct sunlight can make a big difference. Trees or shrubs that provide shade for your air conditioner can increase your system’s efficiency by up to 10 percent.
5. Use Fans
Depending on the temperature outside and your own tolerance for heat, you might not need to use your air conditioner every single day during the summer. On days when it is not sweltering, you might find that using a fan helps you stay cool indoors. Ceiling fans can also help you make the most of your air conditioning when you do use it. A fan can help to distribute the cool air throughout a room, which can make the room feel cooler and more comfortable.
6. Change Your Habits
Making some small changes to the things you do at home and when you do them can help you avoid raising the temperature inside your house. Try to avoid using appliances that generate a considerable amount of heat during the hottest time of the day. For example, if you like baking, it might be best to hold off on using the oven in the middle of a hot day. If possible, wait until the evening or night, when outside temperatures are cooler. Using an exhaust fan when you cook in the summer can also help to keep your kitchen cooler.
7. Choose the Right Unit for Your Home
Size matters when you are choosing an air conditioner. An oversized heating, ventilation and air conditioning system will require more energy to run, raising your electricity bill. Meanwhile, a system that is too small for your home will have to work overtime to keep the house cool.
During an energy consultation, one of SMO Energy’s expert consultants will visit your home and help you choose the system that is the right size for your needs. We will also work with you to help you determine the type of AC that makes the most sense for your home, such as a central AC, mini-splits or window units.
8. Upgrade Your Equipment
Air conditioners sold in the U.S. need to meet certain energy-efficiency standards. Over the years, those standards have become more and more efficient. A unit you buy today will be considerably more efficient than one purchased 10 years ago. Depending on the age of your system and its condition, spending the money to upgrade to a newer, more energy-efficient model could lead to financial savings over the long run.
Schedule Your Free Energy Consultation With SMO Energy Today
If you want to save money while keeping your home cool and comfortable, SMO Energy can help. The first step to take to lower your energy costs is to schedule a free in-home energy consultation with one of our energy consultants. During the consultation, we will listen to your concerns, measure your home, take a look at your current system and recommend a way to move forward that will work for your budget and overall needs. To schedule your consultation, contact us today.