How to Save on Energy Costs with Efficient AC Cooling

The summer months are full of exciting activities. From baseball games to cookouts, pool parties to road trips, there’s always something fun happening. The one downside to summer? The heat can be overwhelming! In many cases, it can be tempting to stay home during the true dog days of summer – especially when the air conditioner is running at full blast.

Thankfully, there are a few ways to help your system run more effectively and save money during the hottest part of the year. Even if you don’t yet own an energy-efficient air conditioner, there are strategies you can employ to bring the expense of cooling your home down each summer.

1. Reinforce Your Home's Insulation

If you’re looking for air conditioning tips to save energy, start by looking at your home’s insulation. You can have the most powerful AC system running at full blast and still not feel cool if cold air is escaping through cracks in your windows and doors. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal in the cool air and keep the warm air from seeping in.

You may also want to look into adding additional insulation to your attic. As the sun bakes down on your roof, the attic heats up, leaking warm air into your home. Blown-in cellulose can help trap that hot air and prevent it from impacting your home’s temperature.

2. Use a Smart Thermostat

Understanding how to reduce air conditioning costs starts with monitoring temperatures. Consider upgrading to a smart thermostat. High-quality devices allow you to regulate your heating and cooling from the convenience of your cell phone. Smart thermostats also give you insight into the your AC habits, allowing you to create and set schedules for when the system turns on and off.

Going out of town for the weekend? Set up vacation mode to save on energy costs while you’re gone. Heading to bed at the same time each night and want the AC to cool your room down before you turn in? Your smart thermostat can work on a daily schedule tuned to your precise needs.

3. Maintain Your HVAC System

Maintaining your HVAC system is another way to improve the efficiency of your air conditioner. Most people don’t give their system a second thought – at least until it begins to break down. By regularly cleaning your AC system and replacing filters each month, you can lower energy consumption by about five to 15 percent.

Central cooling systems should be kept clear of dirt, dust, and debris to help keep them working at the highest rate of efficiency. You don’t necessarily have to do this maintenance yourself, either. Call on a trusted HVAC service if you need help maintaining your system.

4. Close Your Shades

Sometimes, the most practical advice for keeping your home cool is also the most effective. Be mindful of how heat is getting in – if possible, keep your shades closed. This can help you avoid head buildup throughout the hottest part of day, allowing your air conditioner to run more effectively.

Highly reflective blinds can help the heat out and render your space cooler. You can also work to avoid heat buildup by grilling outdoors instead of relying on a hot stove to cook your meals. While these tips for how to reduce air conditioning costs might seem incremental, every little bit helps.

5. Upgrade to an Energy Efficient Air Conditioner

If your AC system just isn’t getting the job done like it used to, it may be time to upgrade to an energy efficient air conditioner. There are a wide range of benefits associated with such a switch. For starters, high efficiency systems with higher SEER ratings use less energy. That translates to a lower monthly energy bill. Switching from an old eight SEER unit to a 16 SEER unit can save you upwards of 50 percent on your energy bills. At the end of the day, higher efficiency typically equals lower bills.

You can try any number of air conditioning tips to save energy, but an energy efficient model is always your best bet. It’s an investment you can feel good about, too, since high-efficiency models emit fewer greenhouse gases. Less electricity means using fewer fossil fuels being used, which is as good for the environment as it is for your bank account.

Choosing Energy Efficient Air Conditioners

If you’ve decided to make the switch to an energy efficient air conditioner, there are a few things to keep in mind. For starters, how big is your living space? If you have a lot of square footage, you may be tempted to invest in a large unit.

With large size comes a larger energy bill, but smaller units may be less effective at cooling the space. Programmable temperature settings are another factor worth considering. If you already have a smart thermostat in place, these extra settings may not be necessary.

The ratio varies for each AC model depending on the size of your space. Most modern units range between 13 to 21. The higher the SEER, the better the unit will be at keeping your space cool while consuming less energy. Cooling experts know to keep this ratio in mind as you shop around for the best options.

Contact Us

No matter which energy efficient air conditioner you choose for your home or business, important to hire experts who know how to install it properly. The most effective system in the world won’t be very useful if it’s installed improperly.

Whether you’re in the market for a new AC unit, want help maintaining an existing system, or need help with a repair, count on the professionals at Aire Serv to deliver results. When you’re ready to schedule your appointment, schedule an appointment online or call us.