How To Reduce My A/C Bill

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Vital AC Solutions | Posted in Blog

As homeowners we’re always looking for ways to not only live greener, but to cut costs. The US Energy Information Agency estimates that cooling accounts for 6.2% of average annual energy use in the US, but there are regional differences, for example in Florida where air conditioning is a necessity, that number rises to 18%!

Even with today’s newer energy efficient air conditioning units, cooling is still a significant annual cost for most families. Here are some tips and tricks to help you reduce your cooling costs. Some will create a noticeable difference almost immediately, while others increase savings over time. The following strategies can lower your energy consumption by 10 to 50% almost immediately!

Upgrade Your System

If your system is over 10 years old the best way to reduce your monthly bill is to invest in a new energy efficient system. Today’s technology is so efficient that it can cool a home that is 30% larger for the same cost. That means you can reduce the size of your system and lower your costs as the most efficient AC systems are correctly sized. Also, make sure to check the SEER rating. Any new system should rate SEER 13 or higher. This step alone can save 20 to 50%.

If a new system is not in your budget, have your existing system professionally serviced. Annual AC service can significantly improve the efficiency of your system and reduce energy costs by 20% or more. Service allows you to identify problems before they become serious and provides long-term benefits like increasing your unit’s lifespan. Make sure your technician checks refrigerant levels, the evaporator coil, compressor and condenser.

Install A Programmable Thermostat

Energy Star recommends installing a programmable thermostat to help reduce energy use. With a programmable thermostat, you can raise the temperature when you are out of the house reducing energy consumption, and program it to cool the house before you arrive home at night. This can reduce your bill up to 10%.

Regularly Replace Air Filters

For about $10 every couple of months, you can reduce your energy costs by up to 15% simply by changing your system’s air filters. Clogged filters can reduce your systems efficiency significantly and increase energy use.

Use Fans to Supplement your AC

Using fans to circulate cooled air in your home allows you to turn up the thermostat by about 4 degrees. Our bodies feel cooler when there is less moisture in the air and your AC system removes humidity. Fans use much less energy than your AC and can help to circulate the air making your home feel more comfortable. Just remember to turn fans off when you leave the room. This strategy alone can reduce energy use by up to 12%!

Improve Plantings Around Your Home

Heat accumulates in your home due to the sun shining on your roof and through the windows and heating the house directly. Planting leafy trees around the exterior of your home can not only improve your curb appeal, it can shade your home and cool it as well. This is a long-term approach, but it can improve your AC’s efficiency by 10% according to the Department of Energy. Couple this with using solar screens (mesh screens that intercept up to 70% of the sun’s energy) or window tinting, which reflects solar rays, and you can increase your savings up to 20%!

Simple changes add up! Implementing some of these tips can significantly decrease your energy use saving your big money over time! Speak with your air conditioning professional to learn even more ways to improve efficiency.

 

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