High power-consuming air conditioners may be the reason why you are incurring high monthly electrical bills. Your AC needs to be performing at its peak to keep your house cool, especially in the scorching summer heat. However, this does not mean that you need to incur high power bills. The following are ways to use the AC and still save on energy.
Schedule Regular Maintenance Visits
No air conditioning systems stay at peak performance without regular maintenance. Even the most modern, expensive, and resilient systems will perform below expectations if clogged or out of service.
Studies indicate that good maintenance can cut AC energy costs by 5% to 40%, depending on the system or equipment involved. Other studies indicate that AC maintenance helps your system maintain up to 95% of its original efficiency. An AC contains many components that need ongoing maintenance, or energy performance degradation can occur.
Maintenance involves cleaning the AC components, fixing electrical connections, replacing worn parts, and assessing their effectiveness. This ensures that your system runs more efficiently and uses less energy.
Turn off at Night
This is one of the simplest yet one of the most effective ways to reduce the air energy costs of your air conditioner. Keep your air conditioner on during the day and off during the night since the evening air is naturally cool. Moreover, your house doesn’t need your air conditioner running at the same rate at night as it does during the day.
Run at a Cut-off Temperature
Setting your AC at a cut-off rate, say 24-degrees Celsius, will help you minimize energy costs. The cut-off works by switching off your AC when it detects the room has reached the desired temperature and turns on when it detects the rising house temperature. In the cut-off mode, the AC consumes less power and helps you save on electricity costs.
Wash Air-Filters Regularly
Your AC will consume less energy if it’s not struggling against dirty air filters and blocked airflow. Air filters are essential components in your AC since they keep dust out of your system, allowing it to run smoothly. However, these air filters get clogged with dust and make it harder for the AC to get the air inside, leading to high energy consumption. If your filters are past their lifespan, you’ll need a new air filter, replace them to ensure your AC operates effectively.
Seal Leaks
Shuttered windows and leaks in your house restrict the performance of the air conditioner. To regulate temperatures in a house with air leaks, the AC will have to run longer to reach the desired temperatures, increasing its energy consumption. Thus, assess if there are any leaks in your house, insulate and seal them immediately to prevent the cool air from escaping.
Use a Smart Thermostat
To cut down AC costs, ensure it only runs when needed and the temperature is set appropriately. A smart or automated thermostat can help reduce your air conditioner costs by regulating the AC. Modern thermostats come with an app that lets you control your temperature remotely. Moreover, they are primarily designed to help you cut down energy costs.
Set a Timer
Consider thermostats with an in-built timer to set the operation hour and the temperature for maximum energy efficiency. For instance, you can skip running the AC all night by setting a timer of around two hours, depending on the time you want to sleep. This is one of the best ways to reduce your AC electricity bills.
Close off Vents
Closing the basement vents prevent cool air from escaping into the basement. As a result, the air will be driven upwards, reducing the cost of running the AC. Vents in the basement can be closed since it’s naturally the coolest portion of your house. This ensures that the other parts of your home receive the cooled air which was being diverted into the basement.
Turn the AC up one Degree
Setting up your AC one degree warmer can cut energy costs up to 10%. Air conditioner energy consumption increases a lot for every degree above the temperature outside. Hence, make everyone aware of your energy efficiency goals and outline the standard household temperature.
Upgrade Your Air Conditioner System
Upgrading parts, such as a thermostat, on an old AC, can make it more energy-efficient. While replacing the entire unit is expensive, adding more ventilation or replacing the condenser are inexpensive ways to boost your unit’s efficiency, hence, saving on energy costs.
The highlighted tips ensure that your AC runs smoothly while reducing electricity bills.
