There are many ways you can stay cool in the summer months and still save money. This is crucial if you want to keep your electric bill at a manageable level. Otherwise, you might be facing a $150 bill from June through August. On the other hand, if you take precautions, you might find that you’re able to cut your bill down to a more affordable rate. Let’s look at how you can effectively and economically use your air conditioning unit, so you can stay comfortable without breaking the bank.
1. Sign Up for an Energy Audit
If you’re considering buying an air conditioning unit or if you have one, you’ll want to pay for an energy audit. This is the first step toward efficiency as it helps you identify where you can save. Energy audits are an accessible way to identify where you might be wasting electricity. It is highly recommended that you start here. This will give you an idea of how your home is using electricity and what changes you can make. Your energy company might even provide this service for free, but it’s wise to check before you take advantage.
Through an energy audit, you can easily find out where your home might be leaking energy, so you can seal off the cracks or look for other energy leaks. You can also find out how you can use the AC unit more effectively to make it more economical.
2. Check Your Thermostat’s Placement
The placement of thermostats is far more important than you think. How close you put your thermostat to a hot window can determine how well your air conditioner works. This is because a thermostat placed near the window absorbs heat quicker than the thermostat placed in the center of the room.
The thermostat should be placed in an area that allows it to be ideally positioned. If you can’t place it in the center of the room, you should place it as far away from the window as possible. Put it somewhere that is not exposed to direct sunlight, as that could cause a lot of heat absorption.
Place the thermostat so that it is easy to read. You should be able to get to it easily when you need to change the temperature setting. If it is difficult to read or reach, you probably won’t use it as often as you should.
3. Be Careful About Having The Right Insulation
A lot of people don’t realize that insulation is an essential factor when it comes to air conditioning units. Insulation around the unit prevents it from absorbing heat from other sources. If you don’t have that insulation in place, your air conditioner will have to work a lot harder to cool the house.
Covering the outside of the unit with some sort of insulation is an important step in making it more energy-efficient. This can be expensive and time-consuming, but it’s worth it. This will save you a lot of money in the long run.
4. Change Your Filter Regularly
Many people don’t realize that changing the filter regularly can have a tremendous impact on the air conditioner’s efficiency. The filter should be changed every three months, but it’s an important step. This will keep the air flowing, and it won’t get into the unit.
If you don’t change the filter regularly, then you can put too much strain on the air conditioner, causing it to work harder and go through energy faster. It’s worth it to change the filter because it is a small cost. In the long run, the cost of a filter is a lot less than the cost of energy.
5. Keep an Eye on Indoor Humidity
Keeping the humidity is another important step when it comes to using an AC unit effectively. Many people don’t realize that humidity greatly impacts the AC unit. In some cases, you could end up spending more money as the air conditioner is working harder and going through more energy just to compensate for the high humidity.
You can actually control the humidity of the air inside by using a dehumidifier. This will help to keep the air from getting too humid, reducing the amount of effort that the air conditioner has to make. The dehumidifier will stop the humidity from rising, allowing you to save money on your energy bills as well.
6. Use a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can help you control your energy costs. This is a great way to save money, especially if you’re away from home during the day. Programmable thermostats allow you to schedule your AC to turn on and off at specific times, when you know you’re not home. This is a great way to save money, especially if you leave the AC on all the time.
You can use a programmable thermostat to plan when your AC unit turns on and off. It’s a small investment that can pay off big. It is also important to have a programmable thermostat in case you have any outages or power surges. You’ll be able to turn the unit on and off, based on your schedule. Just remember to check the setting before you leave home so that you know exactly what’s going to happen when you’re away.
7. Avoid Steep Temperature Changes
Avoiding steep temperature changes can help you save money. Try to make sure that the room the air conditioner is in is the same temperature. Keep an eye on the thermostat so that you don’t let it get too cold or too hot.
For example, if you turn the AC on and the temperature is 80 degrees, try to keep the temperature the same until it reaches a comfortable level. When you make a significant change in your thermostat, your AC will have to work harder. Avoiding steep temperature changes will help you save money.
Conclusion
In many cases, people are paying too much for their energy bills because they don’t use the AC properly. Finding ways to be economical with your air conditioner can save you a lot of money over time. This information will help you to use the AC more effectively, so you can save money on energy bills.
One of the best ways to save money on your power bills is to find the most energy-efficient HVAC units in the market. HVAC Swami is here to help you do just that. We are your go-to source when it comes to finding the best HVAC systems as well as 24-hour air conditioning repair companies. Check out our latest reviews today!
