When warm summer weather begins, you may find yourself adjusting the temperature of your home to match rising temperatures. Running the air conditioning can bring cooling to the home, but it can also increase utility bills. You can reduce cooling costs using these tips to save money.
Choosing the Unit
When purchasing a window air conditioning unit, bigger is not always better. Base the size of the air conditioning unit on the size of the room and other factors that affect the temperature in the room, such as the number of windows and their location (south, north, etc.). An air conditioning unit that is too large for the room will work harder and cost you more.
When buying a central air conditioning system, make sure the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is 14 or higher – 15 in warmer areas. An inefficient system will cost you more to operate. Look for an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of 12 or higher for room air conditioning units. A high-efficiency unit costs more, but if you live in hot areas, it will pay for itself within a few years through reduced electricity bills.
Maintenance
Perform regular maintenance on your air conditioning unit. Replace the filter monthly during the cooling season and have a qualified technician service your system at the beginning of each cooling season. The technician should check that the unit is operating correctly, ensure there are no hoses or moving parts that need replacing, and make sure there is no debris obstructing the outdoor unit.
The air conditioning system is one of the largest energy consumers in your home (second only to the heating system, depending on where you live). If you have an older air conditioning system with a SEER rating of less than 8, it may be worth considering replacing it with a more energy-efficient system. You could potentially recoup the cost in just a few years by reducing energy usage and lower utility bills.
Automatic Operation
Running the air conditioning all day and night is a surefire way to drain your utility budget this month. You can avoid that by installing a programmable thermostat, which allows you to adjust the temperature based on when you are at home. Set it to 78 degrees when you are home, for example. If you will be away for more than a few hours, it might make sense to set the air conditioning temperature to 85 degrees while you’re gone. Just remember not to go to extremes in changing temperatures as the unit will have to work harder to cool your home when you are ready to bring the temperature down.
Location
Make sure your air conditioning unit is located in a shaded area and has space to expel the hot air it removes from your home. Don’t crowd it with bushes or anything else and keep leaves, dirt, and other debris away from the base.
Plant shade trees and shrubs around your home to help reduce solar heat, especially on the west and south sides. This can reduce cooling costs by up to 25%.
In Your Home
Saving money on energy costs during the summer goes beyond air conditioning maintenance. You can also use these tips to further reduce your energy bills:
- Close the curtains on the sunny side of your home.
- Install awnings on windows that are on the sunny side of your home.
- Seal gaps in your home that allow air leaks, which will reduce air conditioning and heating costs.
- Check where utilities enter your home – plumbing, electricity, and dryer vents – and seal them with silicone or caulk.
- Fill
- Seal gaps around chimneys and install weatherstripping around windows and doors.
- Ensure that the cool air coming out of the air conditioning vents is not blocked by furniture or curtains.
- Install an energy-efficient ceiling fan and run it on hot days. If it’s slightly warm and uncomfortable, use the ceiling fan without running the air conditioning. If it’s warm enough to use the AC, use the ceiling fan simultaneously to raise the temperature by five degrees, which will reduce your costs. Use the ceiling fan only when you are in the room as running the fan does not lower the temperature. Moving air increases the amount of evaporation from the skin and helps cool the body.
- The darker the color of your home, the more heat it absorbs. Therefore, if you are building, buying, or repainting your home, choose lighter colors for the exterior. Additionally, about one-third of the heat in your home is absorbed by the roof. Ensure that the attic is properly ventilated. Architectural soffits allow cool air to enter. A soffit vent or an attic fan can significantly reduce cooling costs. Consider applying a reflective coating to your windows to reduce the amount of heat that passes through them.
- Any heat generated inside your home should be removed by your cooling system. Avoid generating heat indoors as much as possible. Cook outdoors on a grill whenever you can, or use a slow cooker or microwave. Use the “air-dry” setting on your dishwasher.
- Turn off lights when not in use. Lights generate heat, causing the air conditioning system to work harder and cost you more. Finally, your computer and home office equipment also generate heat. Turn them off when not in use.
Thank you for using these tips; you can save money on air conditioning costs and reduce energy consumption during the summer.
Sources:
- U.S. Energy Information Administration. “Efficiency Requirements for Residential Central AC and Heat Pumps to Rise in 2023.”
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “Purchasing Energy-Efficient Room Air Conditioners.”
- U.S. Department of Energy. “Landscaping for Energy-Efficient Homes.”
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory. “Cooling Your Home Naturally,” Page 2.
Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/save-money-on-air-conditioning-costs-1289893
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