How to Easily Lower Air Conditioning Energy Bills

Now that warmer weather has consumed most of the country, chances are you already started running your air conditioning unit. High heat temperatures and an ever-rising humidity rating have contributed to escalating electricity bills. This summer, the weather outlook will be the same, “Humid and hot!” The following energy-saving strategies will help save you a bundle of cash to use for other expenses.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Common sense
• New air conditioner filters
• Simple brush to clean vents

1. Make sure you thoroughly research window air conditioning units prior to purchasing one. The size of an air conditioner unit is crucial when saving money on electricity bills. Take a carpenter’s measuring tape and record the dimensions of the desired room. If the room you want cooled off is fairly small, it’s better for you to purchase a unit that’s proportionate to the space it needs to cool off. The time and energy it takes to cool the room can detrimentally cause your bill to rise higher.
2. Remember that heat rises. A two-story home will always have the bottom floor cooler than the upper. You can compensate for that by spending more time on the bottom floor. If this isn’t an option, look to run ceiling fans or portable fans in the upper areas of your house. This helps to spread the cooler air from your air conditioner vents throughout the area. Try to use fewer lights in the upper rooms during the hotter portions of the day. If you have cool nights, you can cut the power of the air conditioning unit and open a few windows.
3. Check the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) number when researching air conditioning units. The lower the ratings, the more it will cost to run the unit. For most residents, a rating of 13 or better is perfect for an air conditioner unit. If you live in warmer climates, a rating of 14 or higher is the choice you want. You also want to check the energy efficient ratio (EER) number. Make sure it’s higher than 10. If you have an air conditioner unit and the ratings indicate an 8 or less, consider having it replaced soon with one that’s higher in rating. These air conditioning units may cost you a little more, but the money you’ll save each month will more than compensate.
4. Get a professional to check your air conditioning system during the spring. They are trained to spot troubles that are unseen to the naked eye. Clean the air conditioner unit filters and vents once every 45 days. Have the filters replaced every 90 days. This helps to keep the high energy bill lower and ensure quality, clean air when the air conditioner unit is operating. If you have rooms that aren’t frequently occupied, close the vents and doors leading into these rooms. Make sure to check if anything is blocking the flow coming from the vents (Furniture, carpet, rugs, etc.)
5. Consider investing in a programmable thermostat if you don’t . This should be installed by a professional. It aids in determining a comfortable temperature when you’re at home. Try to set the air conditioning unit to around 72-78 degrees. However, if you’re planning on leaving the house for long periods of time, adjust the temperature to around 80-85 to prevent wasting money. It also helps to refrain from placing lighting fixtures or appliances close to the air conditioner thermostat as this may cause inaccurate temperature readings.
6. Locate and take note where the air conditioning condenser is situated. If the area where it’s at is shaded, this will help save money on your energy bill. Check to see if there’s proper room for the heat from the air conditioner unit to escape. If there are trees, shrubbery, are other items nearby, have them removed to prevent accidental fires from starting.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the power of the Internet when researching air conditioning unit ratings.
• Never settle for the cheapest air conditioner unit. These will be costly to keep throughout the lifetime of the unit.