If you are relying on your air conditioner this summer and are worried about your bill, do not be afraid. There are several money-saving steps you can take to stay cool – whether you have a window unit or a central system.
Maintain your unit.
Schedule an annual inspection with a professional to make sure your cooling system is running efficiently and lasting longer. The most effective tuneup, which does not require a specialist, is to clean the filter of your unit, or, if it is disposable, replace it. That could reduce the energy consumption of an air conditioner by 5 to 15 percent, according to the Department of Energy.
A one-inch filter must be inspected every month, and larger filters inspected every three to six months, said Jennifer Amann, director of the building program at the nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
“If people have put off some of these maintenance problems,” Ms. Amann said, “they might want to get into that habit while we are more at home.”
Be strategic.
If you have a window unit, use it only to cool the room where it is installed, and close the door to keep the heat out. To avoid units in multiple rooms at once, share spaces with your loved ones whenever possible.
If you have central cooling, set your thermostat as high as comfortable as possible. Mrs. Amann suggests having it at 78 degrees when you are home during the day. To save more energy, increase it to about 83 degrees for four to eight hours at a time, ideally when you are out of the house while you sleep.
You may also want to invest in a smart thermostat that automatically adjusts to energy-saving temperatures based on your preferences. Many electric utilities offer discounts and rebates to customers when they buy a smart thermostat and the utility can adjust the temperature during peak hours, said Dharik Mallapragada, a research scientist at the MIT Energy Initiative, a research and outreach arm of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Some customers may overestimate the suggested temperature if they feel it is too high and are still reaping the benefits.
“Somehow it’s a program that has a root but no stick,” Mr Mallapragada said.
Reduce heat.
Draw blinds or curtains to block sunlight. If you have outdoor shutters, open them to get some shade.
You can cut back on activities that increase the heat and humidity of your home, such as baking or taking hot showers. If you can, try cooking outside as much as possible, and then turn on the range hood when using the stove. Run your dryer as a dishwasher tonight, when it’s cooler outside; replace light bulbs with energy-saving LED lights and turn off electronics when not in use. Also do not place lamps or televisions near the thermostat. They can run the central air longer than necessary.
“Over time, all of these things add up,” Ms. Amann said.
Another important step: insulate your home to prevent hot air from creeping in. If you have a window unit, you may have already checked for holes around the frame. But it is also important to seal other air leaks inside and outside your home.
Consider the options.
If you primarily use an air conditioner to reduce humidity, Ms. Amann recommends purchasing an air humidifier certified by Energy Star, an efficiency certification program implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Or you can supplement your air conditioner with a ceiling fan, which can increase your thermostat temperature by four degrees without experiencing discomfort, according to the Department of Energy. Other types of fans can also help you cool down, but do not use them in empty rooms.
“Fans don’t cool spaces,” Ms. Amann said. “They only cool people – and pets.”
