Save On Your Air Conditioner

You’re no stranger to pool parties, ice cream trucks, and certainly not the heat of summer. However, if you’re anything like us and seek refuge in a nice cool house, then you’re familiar with the high electricity bills of the summer. Although it’s a must-have, there are some ways to curb your A/C cooling costs during the summer. Find ways to help reduce your electricity bill with these energy-saving tips

Selecting a Unit
When you're shopping for a central air conditioning system, make sure the SEER number (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) is 13 or better (14 in warmer climates). A less efficient system will cost you more to run. Look for an EER (energy efficiency ratio) of 11 or higher for room air conditioners. A high-efficiency unit costs more, but if you live in a hot climate, it will pay for itself in a few years by reducing electricity bills.

When buying a window air conditioning unit, more is not necessarily better. Base the size of the air conditioning unit on the size of the room, as well as  other factors that affect the temperature in the room, such as how many windows it has and whether it faces south, north, etc. An air conditioning unit that is too big for the room will work harder and cost you more.

Maintenance
Perform regular maintenance on your air conditioning unit. Replace the filter monthly during the cooling season and have a professional service your system at the beginning of each cooling season. Specifically, they should check to make sure the unit is operating properly, that no hoses or moving parts need to be replaced, and that no debris is obstructing the outside unit.

A cooling system is one of the biggest energy guzzlers in your home (second only to your heating system, depending on where you live). If you have an old air conditioning system with a SEER rating of less than 8, it may be worthwhile to consider replacing it with a more energy efficient system. You may be able to recoup the cost in just a few years in the form of reduced energy usage and lower utility bills.

Automation
Leaving the A/C running all day and all night is a guaranteed way to blow your utility bill budget for the month. You can avoid that by installing a programmable thermostat which allows you to vary the temperature according to your schedule. Set it to 78 degrees when you're home, for example. If you are gone for more than a few hours, it could make sense to set the air conditioning at 85 degrees while you're gone. Just remember not to go too extreme with temperature swings, as your unit will have to work that much harder to cool your home when you're ready to reduce the temperature.

Location
Make sure your air conditioning condenser is located in a shady spot and has room to dispose of the heated air it removes from your house. Don't crowd it with shrubs or anything else and keep leaves, dirt, and other debris away from the base.

Plant shade trees and shrubs around your house to help reduce the heat of the sun, especially on the west and south sides. It can reduce your cooling costs by up to 30%. For more ideas see our blog on Energy Efficient Landscaping.

In Your Home
Saving money on energy costs over the summer goes beyond A/C maintenance. You can use the below tips to slash your energy bills even further:

• Close drapes on the sunny side of your house. 
• Install awnings on the windows on the sunny side of your house.
• Sealing up air leaks in your house will reduce your air conditioning costs as well as heating costs. Caulk or seal places where utilities come into your home (plumbing, electricity, dryer vents, etc.). Fill gaps around chimneys and apply weather stripping around drafty windows and doors.
• Install energy efficient ceiling fans and run them on hot days. Use the ceiling fan only when you’re in the room as running the fan doesn’t lower the actual temperature just how it feels to you. The moving air increases the amount of evaporation from your skin and helps you cool off! If it's just a little too warm for comfort, use the ceiling fan without the air conditioning. If it's hot enough to require air conditioning, using the ceiling fans at the same time allows you to raise your A/C temperature setting by five degrees, which will reduce your costs.
• The darker the color of your house, the more heat it will absorb, so if you're building, buying, or considering repainting, choose lighter colors for the exterior.
• Thirty percent of the heat in your house is absorbed through the roof. Make sure your attic is properly ventilated. Vents in the eaves allow cooler air to enter. A ridge vent or an attic fan can significantly reduce your cooling costs.
• Consider putting reflective window tint on your windows to reduce the amount of heat absorbed.
• Any heat that's generated inside your home must be removed by your cooling system, so avoid generating heat inside your home whenever possible. Cook on your outdoor grill as often as possible or use a crockpot and the microwave. Use the 'air dry' setting on your dishwasher instead of heated dry.
• Close off rooms that you don’t use often as well as the cooling ducts to those rooms.
• Make sure the cooled air coming from your air conditioning vents is not obstructed by furniture or draperies.
• Turn off lights when not in use. Lights produce heat, which makes your air conditioning system work harder (and cost more).
• Your computer and other home office equipment also generate heat. Turn them off when not in use.

All of these tips are easily achievable and can help lower your monthly electricity usage, which is downright cool!