13 Tips About How to Save Money on Air Conditioning Costs

Keeping your house cool as the weather starts to heat up doesn’t have to break the bank. There are several effective ways of how to save money on air conditioning costs. To help you out, our experienced air conditioning repair technicians are pleased to share some of our top tips!

Tip #1: Schedule regular air conditioning repair and tune-up service.

Your air conditioning system should be serviced at least once a year. Ideally, bi-annual air conditioning repair and tune-up service is best-once in the spring and again in the fall. Bi-annual HVAC service keeps your system operating optimally and efficiently all year long.

Tip #2: Use glazed windows and doors and keep them closed while the air conditioning is running.

It is possible to reduce surface temperatures and excessive absorption of heat from the sun by using internal glazed doors and windows. It helps you save money on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint. Also, you would be surprised to know how many people open windows or doors while the AC is turned on. This allows warm, humid air indoors, so your AC is going to run more often and longer to try to compensate.

Tip #3: Make sure windows, doors, and the attic are properly sealed.

Air leaks around windows, doors, and the attic are other ways that increase energy bills and how often your air conditioner runs. The easiest way to find out if you have air leaks is to place your hand up near the window or door and slowly move it around the outside. If you feel any air, then there is an air leak.

Another quick check is if you seek sunlight coming from around the door or window. This means there’s a gap. The best time to check for air leaks is on windy days.

For attic leaks, a quick check is to simply touch the attic door cover. If it feels warm, then there are air leaks in the attack.

Fixing air leaks is not difficult. For windows, you just need to remove old caulk and apply new caulk to reseal them. For doors, you may need to remove old weather-stripping and install new.

In the attic, you have a few options. The easiest is simply to add more insulation to the attic. However, before doing so, it is a good idea to call your roofing contractor and have them do an inspection to ensure the attic is properly ventilated and there is no pre-existing water damage.

Tip #4: Change your air filters every two months.

Most air filters are designed to last longer, but the longer your leave them, the more dust and dirt the filter collects. When airflow is restricted, it places a strain on your AC system and causes it to work that much harder and longer, which results in higher energy bills.

Tip #5: Close air vents in rooms with multiple vents and rooms not being used.

If there are certain rooms in the home you don’t use that often, close the air vents. If you have multiple air vents in the same room, consider closing one at least partially. For example, if you have an air vent in the master bedroom and master bath, close the one in the bath since both don’t need to be open.

Tip #6: Ensure the thermostat is installed in the right location.

You want to make sure your thermostat is not installed on an exterior wall or in a location where it gets direct sunlight. There is a good chance the air conditioner will cycle more often than it needs to when it is installed on an exterior wall. When the thermostat is in direct sunlight, the sunlight can heat up the thermostat, so it will think it is hotter than the rest of the home and cause the AC to run more often.

Tip #7: Upgrade to a smart thermostat.

If you don’t already have a smart thermostat, have your AC repair technician install one. A smart thermostat allows you to program different settings for different times and days of the week. By creating different programs, you have more control over when the AC runs.

Tip #8: Turn the thermostat up a few degrees.

You might be surprised by how much money you can save by turning up the thermostat just a few degrees. On average, you could save between 2 – 4% each month, depending on your preferred setting. To maximize your savings, consider setting the thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tip #9: Turn on ceiling fans set in “summer” mode.

Run your ceiling fans to help circulate cool air more evenly in the home. Doing so can help make your home feel cooler. To verify your ceiling fans are in “summer” mode, look up at them and verify they are spinning counterclockwise. If not, shut them off and slide the switch on the side of the fan to switch the direction of the fan.

Tip #10: Plant trees around the house to add shade and block out direct sunlight.

If you don’t have many shade trees around your home, consider planting some in the locations where the home gets the most direct sunlight. Blocking out direct sunlight helps keep the home cooler and reduces how often the AC runs.

Tip #11: Keep blinds and curtains closed on windows in rooms that get direct sunlight.

In rooms that get direct sunlight, get into the habit of keeping the blinds and curtains closed during the summer. Direct sunlight will heat up the room and make it feel warmer than the rest of the house. That heat also spreads to other areas of the home and can cause your AC to run more frequently.

Tip #12: Replace old air conditioning systems with new, energy-efficient systems.

If your current air conditioning is more than 15 years old, you should consider air conditioner replacement. Getting a new, energy-efficient AC system not only means your home will be cooled more efficiently and effectively but also reduces your overall cooling costs.

To find out more about getting a new air conditioning system for your home, contact your AC repair technician. They help determine the right size AC system you will need and show you different system options and their potential energy savings.

Tip #13: Add more insulation to the exterior walls of the home.

To find out if you need more insulation in the exterior walls of your home, start by touching an interior wall. Pay attention to the coolness of the wall. Now touch the exterior walls of your home to see if it also feels cool like the interior wall.

If it feels warmer, this means that heat from the outdoors is getting inside due to a lack of sufficient insulation. Adding insulation to exterior walls is not difficult, as there are spray foam and loose-fill options.

Tip #14: Have your air ducts cleaned and sealed.

Another type of air leak that can occur is in homes with air ducts. The ducts can develop small gaps and openings where warmer air is sucked into the ducts and blown into the home. Air leaks in the air ducts also increase the amount of dust in the home and lower indoor air quality.

By using these tips, you can start to save money on your cooling costs. Please keep in mind, the amount you save does depend on which of these tips you start using. The more tips you utilize, the higher your savings could be.

To schedule ac repair and tune-up service, find out about air conditioner replacement, duct cleaning and sealing, and other AC system services, please feel free to contact your nearest Christianson Air Conditioning & Plumbing location in Aust Metro, San Antonio, New Braunfels, and Temple, TX by calling 512-246-5400 today!

Our experienced air conditioning repair technicians can show you how to save money on air conditioning costs.