Many homeowners seek ways to improve air conditioner efficiency and reduce utility costs. Here are some tips to help you do just that!

Install a Smart Thermostat

Taking advantage of smart thermostats and home automation systems can help you save energy in both the short and long term. They feature user-friendly mobile apps, Wi-Fi connectivity and integration with voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. They can also learn your daily routine and adjust temperature settings to optimize energy use.

One of the biggest factors contributing to AC inefficiency is air leaks that allow cooled air to escape your home. These can be found around doors, windows, the attic access hatch and electrical outlets. Sealing these leaks will significantly improve your AC efficiency.

You can easily find a DIY kit to help you seal your air leaks or contact an HVAC professional to do it for you. Another way to improve your AC efficiency is by replacing older cooling systems with newer energy-efficient ones. These have higher SEER ratings and utilize variable speed compressors for more precise cooling control, which can result in significant energy savings.

Make sure to clear out any debris such as twigs, leaves, dirt and lawn clippings around your outdoor unit to reduce stress on the system. You should also clean the condensate drain line twice a year by pouring a cup of bleach down the line and rinsing it off.

Close Window Blinds

When window blinds are left open during the hottest parts of the day, sunlight and hot air can enter a home, competing with the cool air produced by your a/c. This causes the a/c to work harder, increasing energy usage. Closing blinds during daylight hours reduces these problems and prevents the need to lower the thermostat, saving money.

The ideal solution is to use energy-efficient blinds that are motorized to automatically open and close based on the time of day. This is one of the most effective ways to save on your energy bill and improve AC efficiency.

You can also keep your windows closed during the hottest parts of the day, allowing the sun’s natural warmth to help heat up the home and reduce the need to run the a/c. Similarly, closing window treatments at night provides an extra layer of insulation, keeping your home warmer and reducing the need to run the furnace.

Additionally, make sure that a/c vents are not blocked by curtains, rugs, toys, or furniture. Blocking vents prevents steady airflow and forces the a/c to work harder. You should also replace older, less-efficient blinds with newer alternatives designed to be more energy efficient and crafted with safety in mind (such as cordless options) to avoid the risk of children or pets tangled in them.

Install a Ceiling Fan

A ceiling fan makes rooms feel cooler and reduces energy bills by circulating the air. It’s also much cheaper than an air conditioning system to operate.

In addition, ceiling fans don’t require as much maintenance as an HVAC system and are environmentally friendly. However, it’s important to keep the fan clean by removing leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and other debris on a regular basis.

You can save even more money by running your ceiling fan alongside an AC unit during the summer. The extra circulation allows you to raise the thermostat setting by a couple of degrees without losing comfort. It’s a simple, low-cost strategy that can significantly cut your energy costs during the summer.

If you don’t have a ceiling fan, it’s time to invest in one. It’s not only a good cooling strategy, but it’ll also help lower your utility bills throughout the year. Just make sure to have a professional install the unit for the best results. You should also have your ducts checked out for disconnected flex, flacid flex, uninsulated boots, and other issues that can impact air flow. Keeping your ducts in tip-top shape can increase your HVAC efficiency and cut your energy payments by up to 40%.

Seal Air Leaks

Air leaks are a huge source of energy waste in homes. They allow cold outdoor air to enter in winter, requiring heating systems to work harder, and they let hot indoor air escape in summer, causing cooling systems to run longer. This cycle leads to higher utility bills and less energy efficiency. Air sealing eliminates the problem by reducing the amount of energy needed to keep buildings comfortable.

In addition to energy savings, air sealing can help reduce the infiltration of contaminants such as dust and allergens, resulting in improved indoor air quality. Properly sealed building envelopes also extend the life of HVAC systems, reducing maintenance and repair costs over time.

There are a number of ways to seal air leaks, including caulking around window frames and doors, adding insulation in the attic, and sealing ductwork. Another simple fix is to close the fireplace damper when it’s not being used. These steps can make a significant difference in air conditioning efficiency. However, if you’re experiencing any issues with your AC unit, it’s best to contact a professional for assistance. It’s important to address any problems with your air conditioner to avoid expensive repairs in the future.

Change Air Filters

Air conditioners can use a lot of energy to keep your house cool, and one of the most common reasons they fail to perform properly is dirty filters. A clogged filter prevents air from passing easily through the system and pushes it to work overtime, which reduces efficiency and can also lead to premature wear and tear that shortens your unit’s lifespan.

Change your AC filter regularly to ensure it’s working as efficiently as possible. At the hardware store, you’ll find filters with different MERV ratings (minimum efficiency reporting value) that help you determine how clean or dirty a filter is, so you can decide when to replace it. Basic fiberglass filters are inexpensive and good at straining out dust, but a higher-quality electrostatic filter can capture smaller debris as if it were iron filings on a magnet.

Changing your filter can also help you avoid high cooling bills by reducing the amount of dust and other debris in your home’s ductwork. In addition to replacing the filter, cleaning your ductwork regularly can reduce your energy consumption and extend the life of your AC system, keeping you from spending extra money on repairs in the long run.

Install a Zoning Control

If you’ve noticed a significant increase in your energy costs, it may be time to consider a zoning control installation. This will improve AC efficiency by allowing you to control the temperature of individual rooms in your home.

Zoning systems have multiple thermostats and air temperature sensors that open and close dampers in the ductwork. When a thermostat in a particular zone calls for heating or cooling, the HVAC system will turn on and send conditioned air to that room. The rest of the house remains cool or warm depending on what’s needed.

This will help reduce the amount of pollutants, dust mites, and mold spores that get spread throughout your home. It will also help alleviate allergy and asthma symptoms for those who suffer from these issues.

When installing a zoning system, a control panel is required to receive the requests from different thermostats and coordinate the opening and closing of the corresponding dampers in your home’s ductwork. It can be installed along with your existing equipment or during a remodel or new construction project. Before you consider a zoning solution, it’s recommended that you seal air leaks and increase your home insulation first.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

Over time, a cooling system suffers gradual wear and tear, causing efficiency loss. Air conditioning professionals perform routine maintenance to improve system performance and spot minor issues that can be repaired before they become major problems, saving you energy in the long run.

Dirty filters and clogged ductwork can block airflow, forcing an AC unit to work harder to cool the space. Regular inspections can ensure that airflow is unobstructed and that the ductwork has no leaks.

Air leaks around windows, doors and the attic contribute to an AC’s inefficiency as they let cooled air escape. A professional can seal these areas with caulk and weather strip products to help reduce energy consumption in your home.

In many cases, an AC unit is the wrong size for the space. If a unit is too small, it will run constantly to reach the desired temperature, which increases energy consumption and shortens its lifespan. A licensed technician can help to assess the proper size for a cooling unit to optimize its energy efficiency.

Enhance the overall efficiency of your cooling system by considering the thorough process of air conditioner cleaning. Professional services specialize in addressing issues such as dirty filters, clogged ductwork, and improper unit sizing, ensuring unobstructed airflow, sealing air leaks, and optimizing energy efficiency. Regular maintenance and cleaning can extend the lifespan of your AC unit, saving you energy costs and preventing major issues down the line.