Each month when you look at your utility bill you can attribute more than half of that total amount to the heating and cooling expenses. In fact, the Department of Energy calls central air conditioning the number one energy expense for US homes. Now that spring is in full effect, many homeowners are going to be thoughtful of their cooling costs.
Here are 6 tips for making your air conditioner as efficient as possible:
- Keep the area around the condenser unit outside clear of bushes and debris. When the unit is clean it is able to work better and without interruption.
- Keep vents unblocked and make sure they are vacuumed regularly. Vacuuming debris and dust away from the indoor vents maintains a steady airflow. Also, make sure things like toys, furniture, and curtains do not block the vents.
- Keep lamps and any other appliances that radiate heat away from the thermostat. When appliances are near the thermostat and radiating heat the thermostat will mistakenly read this as the room being hot and will turn on the air conditioner.
- Keep window treatments closed. During the heat of the day keeping your curtains, blinds, and shades closed can prevent your home from heating up due to the sun.
- Avoid using appliances like the clothes dryer and the oven during the heat of the day as these appliances can add heat to your home making your air conditioner work harder.
- Make sure that any ductwork that is in spaces that are unconditioned is thoroughly sealed and doesn’t have any areas where air leaks.
Spending more money on your air conditioner so that it will save money is a little counter-productive. Instead, follow some of these simple tips for making your air conditioner more efficient so that you can stay cool and save money this summer.
