Summertime means hot weather, and for many people, that means turning on the air conditioning. However, running your AC can be expensive, especially if you leave it on all day. Here are a few tips on how to save money with air conditioning while keeping cool this summer.
1. Close off any rooms you’re not using to keep the cool air in.
When you have your AC on, make sure to close the doors of any rooms you’re not using. This will help keep the cool air in and prevent it from escaping into other parts of your home.
Air conditioners work best when they’re not overworked, so by closing off unused rooms, you can save money and keep your home more comfortable.
2. Use fans to supplement your air conditioner.
Running a ceiling fan or floor fan in conjunction with your air conditioner can help circulate the cool air and make your home feel even cooler. This will also help your AC run more efficiently, which can save you money in the long run.
Make sure to point the fans in the right direction, though. Ceiling fans should rotate clockwise in the summer to push cool air down, while floor fans should be aimed upward to create a cooling breeze.
3. Keep your AC filters clean.
Another way to keep your air conditioner running efficiently is to make sure the filters are clean. Clogged or dirty filters can make your AC work harder than it needs to, which uses more energy and costs you more money.
Check your AC filters monthly and clean them as needed to keep your system running smoothly. For maximum efficiency, change your filters every month. If you have no allergies and don’t smoke, you can get away with changing them every 6 months.
4. Use a programmable thermostat.
If you want to really save money on your air conditioning bill, invest in a programmable thermostat. These devices allow you to set a schedule for when your AC should be on and off. So, you can have it turn off when you’re not home and turn on a few minutes before you get back.
You can also set the temperature to be higher when you’re not home and lower when you are. This way, you’re not cooling an empty house and you can come home to a comfortable temperature.
5. Take advantage of the cooler evening hours.
If it’s not too hot outside, you can open up your windows at night to let the cool air in and turn off your AC. In the morning, close the windows and shades to keep the cool air in and the heat out.
This won’t work if it’s too hot outside, but taking advantage of cooler evening temperatures can help you save money on your air conditioning bill.
6. Don’t use your oven.
Cooking with your oven can make your kitchen hot and cause your AC to work harder to keep your home cool. So, during the summer, try to avoid using your oven as much as possible.
Instead, opt for stove-top cooking or grilling outside. These methods won’t heat up your kitchen like the oven will, so your AC won’t have to work as hard to keep things cool.
7. Check for leaks and insulate your home.
One of the biggest causes of wasted energy is leaks. If your home is poorly insulated, cool air can escape through cracks and gaps, causing your AC to work harder to keep things cool.
To prevent this from happening, check for any leaks around your home and seal them up. You can also insulate your home to help keep the cool air in and the heat out.
Consider installing window insulation film, weather-stripping, and caulk to help seal up any gaps.
8. Set your thermostat to 78 degrees when you’re home and 85 degrees when you’re away.
The ideal temperature for saving money on your air conditioning bill is 78 degrees. This is comfortable for most people and won’t cause your AC to work too hard.
When you’re not home, though, you can set the temperature a few degrees higher to save even more money. Just make sure it’s not too high, or you’ll come home to a hot and stuffy house.
9. Shade your windows with curtains, blinds, or awnings to reduce heat gain.
Here is a quick and easy way to reduce the amount of heat that comes into your home: shading your windows. By blocking out the sun’s rays, you can keep your home cooler and reduce the amount of work your AC has to do.
You can use curtains, blinds, or awnings to shade your windows. If you live in a sunny climate, consider investing in exterior shading devices like solar screens or reflective window film.
10. Replace your AC unit with a more energy-efficient model.
If your AC unit is more than 10 years old, it might be time to replace it with a more energy-efficient model. Newer units use less energy and can save you money on your monthly cooling costs.
When shopping for a new AC unit, look for one with a high Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). This number indicates how much energy the unit uses compared to how much cooling it produces. The higher the EER, the more energy-efficient the unit is.
Summary
There are a number of ways you can save money on your air conditioning bill. By using a programmable thermostat, taking advantage of cooler evening temperatures, and shading your windows, you can keep your home cool without breaking the bank. Additionally, insulating your home and replacing your AC unit with a more energy-efficient model can help you save money in the long run.
