As record-setting temperatures make our summers increasingly hotter, your AC unit must bear a heavy burden to keep your home cool and comfortable. To make matters worse, the more you use your AC, the higher your energy bills will rise. While there's no getting around the fact that you need your AC during the hot summer months, there are ways to make your AC more efficient, which will help to keep your energy bills manageable.
Keep Your Filters Clean
The filters in your AC unit and furnace work tirelessly to keep pollen, dust, and other contaminants out of the air inside your home. Over time, your filters can become clogged with debris, restricting airflow and lowering your AC's efficiency. Cleaning and changing your filters is a simple way to make your AC unit more efficient.
Use Professional Maintenance
Having your AC unit inspected and serviced by a professional is vital to its efficiency. An HVAC professional should always perform air conditioner repair and maintenance to ensure everything is working as it should and minor problems don't turn into big problems. Regular maintenance will keep your air conditioner in peak operating condition, making it more efficient.
Use Fans
Raising your thermostat a few degrees and using ceiling and other fans to help circulate cool air can help make your AC unit more efficient since it doesn't have to work as hard to keep your home cool. Adding fans to rooms is an excellent and low-cost way to save money on your energy bills and lower the workload on your AC.
Seal any Leaks in Your Home
Just as a drafty house will make your furnace work harder in winter, a house with drafty and poorly sealed windows and doors will cause your AC unit to work harder in summer.
Cold air will escape through cracks in windows, walls, poorly insulated attics, and underneath doors, which means your air conditioner will have to work harder to keep your home cool. The harder your AC has to work, the higher your energy bills.
Seal windows with caulk or sealing tape or install energy-efficient windows and seal gaps beneath doors and any exposed ductwork. It's also a good idea to properly insulate your attic.
As summer gets into full swing, it becomes essential to ensure your AC unit is working as it should and that you prepare your home for the hot days and nights ahead to keep your energy costs as low as possible. By following the tips above, you can help to lower your energy bills and keep your AC unit working its best.
