Otis Singleton
With climate change placing an ever-increasing burden on our electrical grids, it's important to know how to save on air conditioner electricity. There are several ways to cut the cost of cooling your home, from programming your AC based on peak and off-peak hours to keeping your house warmer when you're not home. Regular AC maintenance, such as cleaning or replacing filters, is also key to keeping your AC running smoothly and efficiently. Read on for more tips on reducing your energy usage and lowering your utility bills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Programmable thermostat | Set the thermostat as high as comfortably possible during hot weather. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your cooling bill will be. |
| Insulation | Keep your house warmer when you aren't home during the day, but cooler when you come home at night. |
| Airflow obstructions | Keep the outside air conditioner unit free of airflow obstructions and trim back trees and shrubs at least two feet. |
| Maintenance | Clean or replace filters, check for any leaks or damage, and ensure proper insulation. |
| Energy-efficient equipment | When buying new heating and cooling equipment, select energy-efficient equipment. Look for the Energy Star label. |
| Window coverings | Install window coverings to prevent heat gain through your windows during the day. |
| Lighting | Consider lighting options that operate at cooler temperatures. Take advantage of daylight instead of artificial lighting, but avoid direct sunlight. |
| Unplug unused appliances | Unplugging appliances that aren't in use can help reduce your electricity usage. |
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What You'll Learn
- Use a smart or programmable thermostat to save money by turning up the temperature when you're away
- Keep the outside unit free of airflow obstructions and trim back trees and shrubs
- Regular AC maintenance, such as cleaning or replacing filters, can keep the AC running smoothly
- Unplug devices and appliances that aren't in use to help reduce your electricity usage
- Planting leafy trees around your home will help block the sun and keep your house cooler
Use a smart or programmable thermostat to save money by turning up the temperature when you're away
Smart and programmable thermostats can help you save money on air conditioning by turning up the temperature when you're away. Programmable thermostats allow you to adjust the times you turn on the air conditioning according to a preset schedule. They can store and repeat multiple daily settings (six or more temperature settings a day) that you can manually override without affecting the rest of the daily or weekly program. This is especially useful if you're away from home for four hours or more during the day.
Smart thermostats can also be programmed to adjust the temperature when you're away. For example, you can enable the "vacation mode" on a Nest smart thermostat, which changes the temperature by a few more degrees than the "home/away" setting and holds it until you return. You can also use geolocation, which tracks the location of your smartphone, to let the thermostat know when you're away so it can adjust the temperature accordingly. Additionally, smart thermostats can turn off the compressor, a major user of energy, and run just the fan, which uses very little energy, at the end of a cooling cycle.
By turning up the temperature when you're away, you can reduce thermal transfer through the walls and ceilings of your home, meaning your air conditioner has less work to do when you return. This can lead to significant savings on your energy bill. For example, you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat back by 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day.
It's important to note that the location of your thermostat can affect its performance and efficiency. It should be placed on an interior wall away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights, and windows. Furniture should not be placed in front of or below the thermostat, as this will block natural air movement.
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Keep the outside unit free of airflow obstructions and trim back trees and shrubs
Keeping the area around your outside air conditioning unit clear is essential for maintaining good airflow and ensuring your system runs efficiently. Here are some tips to achieve this:
First, ensure there are no obstructions to airflow around the outside unit. This includes checking that there is a clear path for air to flow out of the unit and that there are no objects blocking the airflow through the unit's registers. Maintaining a clear area will help your air conditioning system run smoothly and efficiently.
Next, pay attention to any trees and shrubs near the outside unit. It is recommended that you trim back trees and shrubs to ensure they do not impede airflow to and from the unit. Aim to keep vegetation at least two feet away from the unit to prevent any issues.
Regular maintenance of your outside unit is also important. This includes tasks such as cleaning or replacing filters and checking for any leaks or damage. By keeping your unit well-maintained, you can help ensure it runs efficiently and experiences fewer problems over time.
Finally, consider the placement of your outside unit in relation to the sun. Although this may be difficult to adjust, being mindful of direct sunlight on the unit can help prevent unnecessary heating. If possible, provide some shade for the unit to keep it cool.
By following these steps, you can help ensure your outside air conditioning unit functions optimally and experiences fewer issues due to airflow obstructions or poor maintenance.
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Regular AC maintenance, such as cleaning or replacing filters, can keep the AC running smoothly
Regular AC maintenance, such as cleaning or replacing filters, is essential to keep your AC running smoothly and efficiently. Here are some tips to help you maintain your AC unit and save on electricity costs:
Firstly, it is important to understand the role of an air filter. Air filters are designed to protect the sensitive components of your AC unit by acting as a barrier to prevent contaminants from entering the system or circulating in the air. Over time, filters can become clogged with dust, dirt, pet hair, lint, mould, and bacteria. This reduces the airflow and puts strain on the AC unit, leading to increased energy consumption and higher electricity bills. Therefore, it is crucial to clean or replace your air filters regularly.
Most air filters are made from spun fiberglass or pleated paper framed with cardboard. While some filters are disposable and meant to be replaced, others are reusable and can be cleaned. It is recommended to check your owner's manual or the manufacturer's instructions to determine if your filters can be cleaned or need to be replaced. If you choose to clean your filters, it is important to turn off your AC unit first to prevent unfiltered air from circulating in your home.
When cleaning your air filters, you can use a vacuum or wash them with water. If washing, fill a sink with equal parts water and white vinegar, and soak the filters for an hour. Rinse them with fresh water and let them dry completely before reinstalling them. Alternatively, you can use a garden hose on a low-pressure setting if your filters are too large to fit in your sink. For a quicker clean, you can use your fingers or a brush to wipe away dust and grime, especially if your filters are made of thin mesh material. It is recommended to clean your filters monthly for optimal efficiency, and to replace them every three months or according to the manufacturer's specifications.
In addition to filter maintenance, you can also clean the coils and fan of your AC unit regularly using a canister of condensed air to blow away dust and buildup. Furthermore, planting leafy trees around your home can provide natural shade and help block the sun's heat, reducing the workload on your AC unit.
By following these maintenance tips, you can help keep your AC running smoothly and efficiently, potentially saving on electricity costs in the long run.
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Unplug devices and appliances that aren't in use to help reduce your electricity usage
Unplugging devices and appliances that aren't in use is a great way to reduce your electricity usage and save money on your energy bills. This is especially true for the warmer months when your energy bill is already likely to be at its highest due to increased air conditioner usage.
Unplugging your air conditioner when you don't need it, such as when you're going on a week-long trip or vacation, can significantly trim your energy bill. However, doing this every time you leave the house may not be the most efficient choice, as your air conditioner may need to work harder to cool your space down when you return, using more energy.
In addition to unplugging your air conditioner when not in use, you can also unplug other appliances such as your television, desktop computer, or gaming system. These devices can contribute to increased energy consumption, especially if they are older models. Newer, energy-efficient appliances with the Energy Star label use 25 to 40 percent less energy than typical 10-year-old models.
To further reduce your electricity usage, you can also implement good maintenance practices for your air conditioner. This includes cleaning or replacing filters regularly, checking for leaks or damage, and ensuring proper insulation. By maintaining your air conditioner, you can keep it running smoothly and efficiently, reducing the amount of energy it consumes.
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Planting leafy trees around your home will help block the sun and keep your house cooler
One of the best ways to save on air conditioner electricity is to reduce the amount of electricity you need to cool your home in the first place. Planting leafy trees around your home is a great way to do this, as they will help block the sun and keep your house cooler.
In the northern hemisphere, the sun’s rays angle from the south during the summer months. This means that planting one or more leaf-dropping (“deciduous”) trees along the southern exposure of your house is a good energy-saving strategy. Leaf-dropping species make for excellent shade trees because their canopy will block the sun in the summer but let light through in the winter when the sun's warmth is welcome. For full-day sun blockage, you will need to plant tall trees that will grow higher than your roof. It is important to note that you should not plant trees too close to your house, as their roots may threaten the foundation and their limbs may overhang the roof or bang into the walls. A good rule of thumb is to determine the mature width of a tree and plant it no closer than half of that width from your house.
The Arbor Day Foundation recommends planting deciduous trees on the east and west sides of your home as well. Large deciduous trees on the east, south, and west sides of your home will create soothing shade from the hot summer sun and can reduce summer air conditioning costs by up to 35%. East-facing trees cast shadows on your house in the morning sun, which is cooler, so they do not have as great an impact on your electric bill. West-facing trees cast shadows that block the afternoon sun when the temperature is hottest, so they will have the most impact on your summer energy bills.
Trees cool your house in two ways. Firstly, they block the sun's rays from penetrating roofs, walls, and windows with their leaf canopies. Temperatures can often be 10 degrees lower in the shade. Secondly, trees cool the air through transpiration, the process by which trees release water vapour through their leaves, which evaporates and absorbs energy in the form of heat, thus cooling the surrounding air.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to save on air conditioner electricity. Firstly, you can set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible during hot weather. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your cooling bill will be. Secondly, you can use a smart or programmable thermostat, which saves money by consistently turning up the thermostat when you’re away. Thirdly, you can plant leafy trees around your home to block the sun and keep your house cooler. Finally, you can unplug mobile or window-unit air conditioners when you don't need them for extended periods, such as when you go on vacation.
To make your air conditioner more energy efficient, you should ensure that it is well-maintained. This includes cleaning or replacing filters, checking for leaks or damage, and ensuring proper insulation. You should also avoid placing lamps or TV sets near your thermostat, as this can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
There are several signs that your air conditioner may be wasting energy. One of the most noticeable signs is receiving high utility bills, as excessive energy consumption can result in increased costs. Another sign is noticing that your HVAC cycles are longer than usual, which could be due to clogged air filters restricting airflow.
To reduce the amount of time your air conditioner runs, you can try sealing air leaks around doors and windows with caulk or weatherstripping. You can also install window coverings to prevent heat gain through your windows during the day. Additionally, you can keep the outside unit free of airflow obstructions and trim back any trees or shrubs nearby.
