Worried about your electrical bill? Even the most energy efficient HVAC system can still become a significant expense during summer. Luckily, there are a variety of ways you can lower your air conditioning usage and save money during the warmer, sunnier months of the year.
While summer is still some time away, the key to an affordable summer is preparation. From AC cleaning to smart thermometers, investing in the right products and services now can help you cut a significant amount from your air conditioning bill in the near future.
Below, we’ve listed seven ways that you can save money on your summer air conditioning bill, from simple tips to small purchases. If you’d like to enjoy a more affordable summer, try one or several of these tips to cut your AC usage and enjoy lower, more affordable energy bills
Clean your air conditioner’s filter
Every ac repair system includes filters — components that are designed to contain dust and debris that collects inside the system. As these filters become more full, your AC system becomes less efficient, resulting in a higher amount of energy consumption for the same results.
Replacing a dirty air conditioning filter can reduce your energy consumption by five to 15% over the course of a month, making it something you should do often.
On average, you should clean your air conditioner filters at least twice every year. Or, if you use your air conditioning system frequently, aim to clean it every quarter. The small cost of cleaning is almost always made up for by the significant energy savings you can expect.
Switch to a smart, efficient thermostat
Smart thermostats automatically adjust your home’s HVAC system depending on the conditions, helping you reduce your energy consumption and save money.
They also regulate your air conditioning system when you’re out of the house, letting you lower the amount of energy that’s used when you’re not present. This can add up to significant energy savings over the long term, as well as lower energy bills.
Check your door, window and attic seals
From gaps underneath doors to poor insulation in your attic, cool air (or heat, during winter) can escape from your house surprisingly easily, causing your HVAC system to work into overtime to make up for these losses.
One of the easiest ways to solve this problem is to request a local energy efficiency contractor to carry out an energy audit. They’ll be able to identify areas in which air is escaping from your home, helping you solve the problem and reduce your AC-related energy consumption.
Set your air conditioner to a slightly higher temperature
Want a quick and easy way to reduce your energy consumption and enjoy lower bills? Switch your thermostat up a degree or two during summer (or down a degree or two during winter) to reduce the amount of energy your air conditioner uses to cool your home.
Often, the one-to-two degree difference is small enough that it’s imperceptible for you and other people, but large enough to have a significant effect on your energy consumption.
Only need a mild temperature decrease? Use a fan instead
Does your home feel just a little too warm without the air conditioning system switched on? If the ambient temperature of your home is only slightly too warm, try using a fan to keep yourself cool and comfortable without switching on the air conditioner.
Compared to the 500 to 3,500 watts used by most air conditioning systems, a typical ceiling fan only uses about 100 watts of energy, making it a much more efficient way to cool your home on days where the temperature is only a little bit outside your comfort zone.
Get your HVAC system checked at least once every year
When was the last time your HVAC system was serviced? Regular maintenance is essential for any HVAC system, from keeping the air that flows into your home clean and healthy to locating and fixing worn or damaged components.
If you’re a residential customer, it’s worth scheduling a full check of your HVAC system at least once every year. For commercial and industrial HVAC systems, it’s important to schedule even more frequent commercial AC repair and maintenance in line with the service intervals of your system.
During the night, make use of your AC system’s sleep mode
Finally, it’s always a good idea to make use of your AC system’s sleep mode to limit electricity usage during the nighttime.
When you sleep, your body usually doesn’t need the same level of temperature comfort as it does when you’re awake. Because of this, you can often raise the temperature (or switch off your air conditioner entirely) without feeling overly warm or uncomfortable.
If your HVAC system has a sleep mode, try configuring it to either switch off completely or raise the temperature once you fall asleep. This small optimization is often all it takes to cut 20 to 30% off your monthly AC-related energy consumption.
