With summer almost here, air conditioners start to run all day and night. In most homes, this accounts for the biggest share of energy consumption in summer.
While your AC may keep you comfortable in the hot and humid months, costs can add up if you don’t have an efficient system.
Keep reading to learn three tips to reduce air conditioning costs this summer.
Upgrade Your Air Conditioning Unit
Old air conditioning units are inefficient, which means they consume more energy and cost more to run. By replacing window units with an efficient mini-split system, you can gain up to 70% energy savings.
Upgrading your HVAC system does come with a cost, so make sure you budget the project, and speak with a professional about the options available for your home.
Smart Controls
Leaving the air conditioning on full blast is a waste. Just like you program heat in the winter, you can program your air conditioning to ensure your home is comfortable while saving you money. Program the air conditioning to your comfort level for the times of the day when you are home. When working or away, increase the temperature by 7-10 degrees to reduce costs.
Mini-split systems also enable you to cool down the rooms you use the most. You can set the temperature for the main living areas to one level, and another level for rooms more seldomly used.
Reduce Air Leakage
A home with poor insulation or air leaks enables cool air to get out and hot outside air to get into the home. The opposite is true during cold winter months, so this tip can help you save all year long!
Some easy ways to improve insulation are by caulking and weatherproofing all windows and doors, replacing any worn-out or drafty window treatments with new ones made of insulating materials (such as cotton drapes), and closing off unused parts of an attic when possible. You can also go an additional step to improve your home’s insulation by adding spray foam insulation throughout your home.
Your air conditioning unit is a major factor in your energy bills, and these tips can help reduce those costs. Do you have other tips? Let us know!