Keeping your home cool during the warmest months of the year is a notoriously energy-inefficient luxury. From 1993 to 2005, studies revealed that residential air conditioning’s energy consumption doubled — and from 2005 to 2010, it rose another 20%.
That’s not only bad news for the environment; it’s also bad for your bank account. If you’ve noticed that your monthly electricity bills have been steadily rising, it might be time for you to think about making your home’s air conditioning system more energy-efficient.
It might actually amaze you to discover how simple it can be to start saving hundreds of dollars each year by making small, simple adjustments to your air conditioning unit. Here are just three of the ways you can instantly make your air conditioner a more energy-efficient, effective machine in your home:
Adjust your thermostat settings
One of the most effective ways to reduce your air conditioner’s energy consumption is also one of the easiest — no costly AC maintenance or AC repair necessary. By turning your thermostat a few degrees higher at night and when you leave the house for a prolonged time, you can save tons of energy that would otherwise be wasted on cooling an empty home. If you thermostat has a timer setting, you can set it so your air conditioning turns on when you come home from work.
Clean evaporator and condenser coils
Did you know that dirty evaporator and condenser coils can compromise your air conditioner’s ability to run efficiently? By cleaning these coils, you can extend the lifespan of your system and allow it to use less energy while it runs. If you’re not sure how to do this, you can call in an AC maintenance specialist.
Regularly replace dirty air filters
If you’re not replacing your air conditioner’s air filters each month, you should be — by switching out dirty air filters with clean ones once every 90 days or so, you can reduce your system’s energy use by as much as 15%.
Have any other questions for us about air conditioning services and AC maintenance procedures that will make cooling your home more energy-efficient? Let us know in the comments below.