Introduction – Saving Electricity with an Air Conditioner
When the heat outside feels like it’s going to melt you into a puddle, what is the best way to cool off? Many of us turn on our air conditioner to get that much-needed blast of cool air. If you’re lucky enough to have an air conditioning unit in your home, you can save money on your utility bills and stay comfortable all at once.
If you don’t have one, it might be something to consider installing this summer. Keeping your home at a cooler temperature can help you use less energy throughout the year and reduce your utility costs by up to 10%.
Here is some advice on how you can reduce your cooling costs while keeping cool with an air conditioner.
Correct Installation
The first thing to do is to make sure your air conditioner is installed correctly and in good repair. An AC that is not properly installed will not perform optimally, costing you more on your monthly electric bill. If you are installing a new unit, try to consider a model that is ENERGY STAR® certified.
These units use at least 10% less energy than conventional models. They can save you money on your cooling bill and also reduce your carbon footprint. If you own an AC that’s 10 years old or more, it might be time to replace it.
New models are more energy-efficient and can save you money on your energy bills. Now is a good time to take a look at your cooling system and make sure it’s in good shape and ready for the hot weather.
Turn the AC to “Cool” During the Day
First of all, when you’re using your air conditioner, turn it on to “cool” during the day. When your home is hotter than the outside temperature, it will take a lot of energy to cool it down. However, if you turn your AC to “cool” during the day, it will get the inside temperature down to a level where it only requires a minimal amount of energy to maintain it.
When you turn the AC to “cool” during the day, you can also help reduce your energy costs by keeping the blinds closed. This will help keep the sun’s heat out of your home, allowing your AC to do its job more efficiently.
Open Your Drapes and Doors
Another way to reduce your cooling costs is to open up your drapes and doors during the day. Doing so allows the heat to escape from your home and will help keep your AC from having to work as hard to cool your home down.
However, make sure you close them before the sun goes down. You don’t want the inside of your home getting too hot while you sleep. Opening up your kitchen and living room windows can also help you get a nice cross breeze going through your home.
This will help cool down your house and make the inside of your home more comfortable.
Check for Leaks
Whether you have an old AC or a new one, you should check for leaks once a year. Leaks can lead to higher cooling costs and can be dangerous if there is a potential for carbon monoxide to build up in your home. If you find a leak, it’s important to contact a professional to have it repaired immediately.
Never try to fix a leak yourself. Doing so can lead to a more extensive problem and can be dangerous to your health. If you find that your AC has a leak, contact a professional for repairs and have the problem fixed before the hot weather arrives.
Having your AC repaired now will save you money on cooling costs once the temperatures climb.
Change Your Filters
If your AC has a filter, make sure you are replacing it on a regular basis. Dirty filters can reduce the efficiency of your AC, which leads to higher cooling costs.
Cleaning or replacing your filters regularly can help keep your AC running smoothly and efficiently. You can also use a reusable AC filter to help reduce the amount of dust and dirt that gets inside your AC. This can help improve the longevity of your cooling system.
Set Up Shading
Setting up shading around your windows and doors can help keep your home cooler and can reduce your AC’s workload. Shade around windows and doors is a great way to keep the sun’s heat out of your home, which will help your AC run more efficiently.
The shade will also protect you from excessive UV rays that can cause damage to your eyes, skin, and furniture. Shading your windows and doors can help keep your home up to 12 degrees cooler on a hot summer day. It can also help keep your AC from having to work as hard, which will save you money in the long run.
You can install permanent shades or roll-up shades that are attached to your windows using spring-loaded poles.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Finally, consider installing a programmable thermostat. This can help you save money on your cooling costs by automatically turning your AC on and off. A programmable thermostat will allow you to set your AC to turn off when you are not at home or asleep.
This allows you to skip the cooling portion of your AC cycle when you don’t need it. A programmable thermostat can also be set to turn on when the outside temperature reaches a certain level.
This can help you reduce the amount of time you keep the AC on, which can save you money on your cooling bills.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that a properly installed AC will reduce your electricity bill by about 10% during the summer months.
A few easy ways to reduce your AC usage are to open your drapes and doors, change your filters, and set up shading around your windows and doors. You can also install a programmable thermostat that will allow you to save electricity while keeping you cool.
