During the summer, your AC is one of the most critical appliances in your home. It keeps you cool and comfortable when the temperature outside is climbing. But did you know that your AC can also be a giant energy hog?
Table of Contents
The best way to improve AC efficiency is by investing in a smart thermostat. You should also keep the air filters clean. A dirty air filter will restrict airflow and make the unit work harder. Debris in vents can also block airflow and prevent the unit from operating at peak efficiency.
There are many steps you can take to improve your air conditioner’s efficiency and keep your energy bills in check. This article will show you thirteen easy ways to do just that.
1. Regularly Vacuum Your Vents
One of the best ways to ensure that your air conditioner is running efficiently is to regularly vacuum your vents. This simple task can help increase airflow and prevent dust and dirt from building up in your AC unit.
In addition to vacuuming your vents, you should also be sure to clean any debris from around your AC unit. This will help keep your air conditioner running smoothly and prevent potential problems.
Read: Can Black Mold Grow In Window Air Conditioners?
2. Clean Out Your Air Filters
During the summer, your AC has to work overtime to keep your home cool and comfortable. And one of the things that can impact your AC’s efficiency is a dirty air filter.
When your filter is blockaded with dust and other particles, it has to work harder to push air through. This not only makes cooling less effective but also uses more energy.
Cleaning or replacing your air filters on a regular basis is a quick and easy way to improve your AC’s efficiency. And it’s something you can do yourself—no need to call in a professional. Just be sure to check your AC’s owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to clean or replace your air filter. With a bit of regular maintenance, you can keep your AC running smoothly.
Read: Should You Give Your Air Conditioner A Break?
3. Clean the AC Unit and Place a Shade on the Condenser
Spring is the perfect time to clean your unit and ensure it’s ready for the summer months ahead. Additionally, placing a shade over the condenser will help keep it cool and running efficiently.
Have a Question? Ask HVAC Technician
Click here to use the chatbox to speak with one of our technicians.
No in-home service calls. No appointments.
Shading your condenser can help it run more efficiently. This is because the condenser needs to be cooler than the surrounding air in order to work properly. If the condenser is in the sun, it will have to work harder to cool down, leading to higher energy bills.
Read: Is It Cheaper To Run A Portable Air Conditioner Or Central Air?
4. Close Windows and Doors
One relatively obvious and simple trick to improve your air conditioner efficiency is to simply close all the windows and doors when the AC is on. By keeping the cool air inside, your AC won’t have to work as hard to keep your home comfortable.
Of course, this only works if your home is well-insulated. If you have any gaps or cracks in your walls or windows, the cool air will escape, and you won’t see any savings on your energy bills. But if your home is well-sealed, you can enjoy lower AC bills throughout the summer.
5. Check for Air Leaks
One thing you should definitely check is whether you have any air leaks in your house. The attic, basement, doors, windows, and wall cracks are prime locations for air leaks.
These openings let hot air in, making your AC work harder and driving up your energy bills. By sealing these openings, you can keep the cool air in and the hot air out, making your AC work more efficiently and saving you money.
Read: Why Window Air Conditioner All Lights Flashing And Beeping
7. Invest in Better Insulation
Like most people, you probably don’t think much about your insulation. But if you’re looking to improve your AC efficiency, investing in better insulation is a great place to start.
Insulation is one of the most critical factors in AC efficiency. It helps keep the air inside your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, which means your AC doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your home comfortable.
There are many different types of insulation, so it’s essential to do your research to find the best option for your home. But once you’ve made the investment, you’ll see a drastic improvement in your AC efficiency—and your energy bills!
8. Insulate Your Ductwork
Your ductwork is responsible for a large portion of your AC’s inefficiency. Ductwork is often responsible for up to 40% of a central AC’s energy loss, which means that insulating your ductwork can drastically impact your AC’s efficiency.
There are many ways to insulate ductwork, but the most effective one is to use spray-on foam insulation—a type of insulation that can be applied directly to the ductwork to create a tight seal that prevents cool air from escaping.
Read: Why Air Conditioner Not Blowing Cold Air But Running?
9. Invest in a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is a thermostat that you can control remotely via an app on your phone or tablet. This means that you can adjust your house’s temperature remotely, even when you’re not at home. You can also set schedules so that your AC unit only runs when you need it, reducing your energy usage.
10. Utilize Ceiling Fans
Did you know that ceiling fans help improve the efficiency of your air conditioner? That’s right—by circulating the air in a room, ceiling fans can help your AC unit to cool a space more quickly and evenly. With a ceiling fan, your AC unit won’t have to run as long to cool the same amount of space.
11. Cover Your Windows
One of the best ways to keep your AC unit working properly is to cover your windows and doors with UV-resistant film. A UV-resistant film can help keep some of the sun rays out, which play a big part in heating your home. This will make it easier for your AC to cool your home in the summer.
12. Replace Incandescent Bulbs With Energy-Saving LEDs
The switch to LED light bulbs is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. LED bulbs utilize less energy than incandescent bulbs and last much longer. Plus, LED bulbs don’t produce as much heat as incandescent bulbs, so they can help keep your home cooler in the summer.
13. Avoid Using Appliances in the Summer
It’s no secret that appliances can significantly drain your home’s energy efficiency. In the summer, when temperatures are already high, you can avoid using appliances as much as possible to help improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Appliances, like the oven and dryer, generate a lot of heat when they’re in use. Try to avoid using them during the hottest hours of the day. If you need to use them, make sure they’re full so you’re not wasting energy running them multiple times.
14. Hire a Professional for AC Maintenance
If you want to improve your AC efficiency, the best thing you can do is to hire a professional for AC maintenance. AC maintenance can save you money on your energy bills and help extend your AC unit’s life.
Plus, professionals can help resolve several different problems with your AC Unit. For example, if you have an AC that is making a whistling noise, you can contact a professional to help you out.
Conclusion
AC maintenance is critical for ensuring that your AC unit runs efficiently. However, it’s also as important to take some extra measures that lie outside the AC, such as checking for air leaks, insulating your home, and investing in a smart thermostat.