An estimated 90% of homes in the United States use air conditioning of some kind, and it’s easy to see why. AC help keeps living spaces habitable, especially during the summer when the heat can prove oppressive. But while these units are a godsend against the heat, air conditioning costs can prove a challenge.
At the moment, air conditioning consumes roughly 6% of the total electricity produced in the US. The collective power bill to homeowners comes to a colossal $29 billion each year.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to keep your AC bill under control this summer? In this post, we outline seven proven tips for a lower AC bill. Let’s delve right in.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
With this type of device, you can set temperatures for different times of the day and night. That means your AC doesn’t have to work as hard (and use as much power) when you’re not home.
You can program these devices to turn on half an hour or so before you arrive home in the evening, so your living space is already cool by the time you walk in the door. The same goes for when you leave for work in the morning — just set the device to a higher temperature so your AC doesn’t have to kick in.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that homeowners can save up to $180 every year by using a programmable thermostat appropriately.
Use Ceiling Fans
While ceiling fans don’t actually lower the temperature in a room, they do make it feel cooler. That’s because they circulate air and help evaporate the sweat on your skin.
In fact, when used together with an AC, ceiling fans can allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F without affecting your comfort. And since every degree you raise the AC saves you about 6 percent on your cooling costs, that’s a significant saving.
Just remember to turn off the ceiling fan when you leave the room — otherwise, you’ll be wasting energy.
Educate Your Housemates About Energy-Saving Practices
Do you have kids or housemates who like to leave doors and windows open when the AC is on? If so, then it’s time for a little education.
Explain to your loved ones that every time they open a door or window when the AC is running, cool air escapes and warm air enters. As a result, the AC has to work harder (and use more power) to maintain the desired temperature.
Encourage them to close doors and windows when the AC is on, and you should see a difference in your energy bills.
Consider Investing in a Whole-House Fan
A whole-house fan is a large fan that’s installed in the attic and vented to the outside. These devices are used to expel hot air from your home and can be an excellent complement to your AC, especially if you live in a climate with mild summers.
In most cases, you can use a whole-house fan to keep your living space cool at night. Then, during the day, when the temperature outside rises, you can rely on your AC to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
This approach can help you save money since you won’t have to use your AC as much.
Add Weather-Stripping or Caulking Around Doors and Windows
In many homes, a lot of cool air escapes through cracks and gaps around doors and windows. Fortunately, this problem is easy to solve.
Weather-stripping is a material that you can use to seal spaces around doors, and caulking is used for sealing cracks and gaps around windows. You can find both of these materials at your local hardware store.
Sealing up cracks and gaps will help prevent cool air from escaping, so your AC doesn’t have to work as hard to keep you warm.
Install Reflective Window Film
If your home has a lot of windows, then heat gain through those windows can be a significant problem. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution — reflective window film.
This type of film is applied to the glass surface and reflects sunlight away from your home. As a result, less heat enters your living space, and your AC doesn’t have to work as hard to keep things cool.
Invest in Energy-Efficient AC
If your air conditioning unit is old, it might be time to invest in a new, energy-efficient model. Newer air conditioners use less energy and can save you money on your monthly electricity bill.
When shopping for a new air conditioner, look for models with the ENERGY STAR label. These models meet strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and can help you save money on your air conditioning costs.
Inspect Your Ductwork for Leaks
Ductwork is the system of air ducts that carries air from your air conditioner to the different rooms in your home.
If your ductwork has leaks, this can cause your AC unit to work harder than it needs to and drive up your energy costs. To prevent this, have your ductwork inspected for leaks and repaired by a professional if necessary.
Even better, consider investing in a ductless air conditioning system. These systems don’t use ductwork, so they’re much more efficient than traditional AC units.
Schedule an Annual Air Conditioning Tune-up
Regular heating and cooling maintenance are one of the best ways to keep your AC unit running efficiently and prevent costly repairs. In particular, you want to invest in an annual AC and heating tune-up.
During a tune-up, a professional will clean your AC unit, lubricate its moving parts, and inspect it for any potential problems. This can help extend the life of your AC unit and prevent small AC problems from becoming big ones.
Make sure to find AC companies that have experience and expertise in servicing your type of AC unit.
Keeping Air Conditioning Costs Low Shouldn’t Be a Challenge
Air conditioning costs can quickly add up during the summer months, but there are a number of things you can do to help reduce your air conditioning bill. By following the tips above, you beat the heat without blowing your budget.
Are you searching for AC repair near me in Pearland, Texas? Get in touch with us today for an AC repair-free estimate.