Ways to Shave Your Air Conditioning Costs

Air conditioning is one of the biggest costs people face during the wintertime. According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, the average energy bill in 48 states is at least $80 a month. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that people can save money on their A/C bills.

How Can You Cut Air Conditioning Costs?

There are a number of ways that you can improve air conditioner efficiency. Here are some tips that you will want to consider.

Set the Power Higher for Shorter Periods of Time

Many people believe that it is more efficient to run the air conditioner all day long, because you won’t need to use as much energy to get it started. However, the problem is that as your house is cooled, it tends to attract more warm heat, which forces the air conditioner to keep running. 

Therefore, keeping your air conditioner on throughout the entire day isn’t the best idea. Your best bet is to turn it on a degree or two lower than normal. Turn it off completely once the room is cool enough.

Block the Windows During Summertime

Solar heat is the single biggest factor that causes houses to become too hot during the summer. You can significantly reduce the temperature of your house by blocking the windows. The U.S. Department of Energy states that you can improve air conditioner efficiency by 10% by planting trees in front of your windows.

However, the obvious downside of using trees to block sunlight is that they limit solar heating benefits during the winter, which may be necessary to reduce heating costs. If you live in a region where you need a lot of heat during the dead of winter, then it is better to use blinds during the daytime between June and August.

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Do Not Rely Solely on Your Central A/C

Your central air conditioner can make a significant difference during the hottest parts of the year. However, you don’t want to rely on it exclusively. It is a good idea to also run ceiling fans in the parts of the house that you use most frequently to minimize the need for air conditioning.

Spend More Time in the Basement

When you are feeling too hot, it may be worth moving to the basement rather than turning up their air conditioner. You can cut air conditioning costs significantly by spending a couple hours in the afternoon downstairs rather than blasting the air conditioner.

Have a Maintenance Plan

Your air conditioner will operate much more efficiently if it is properly maintained. You will need to speak with an expert that can make sure it is properly setup and fix any problems that arise.