3 Simple Tips to Save Money While Running Your Air Conditioner

As the summer temperatures rise, unfortunately your electric bill does too! Running your air conditioner can be costly, but with these simple tips, you won't have to sacrifice your comfort to save some money.

Make Sure Your Air Conditioner is the Right Size

Of course utilizing power efficient air conditioners is a great start, but when it comes to maximizing your comfort while minimizing your electric bill, size matters. If you purchase an air conditioner that's too large, you could be throwing money away. However, if you purchase an air conditioner that's too small, it's likely you're not cooling your space efficiently. Having the right size air conditioning system is key. Whether you have a window air conditioner or a portable AC, you need to make sure your AC has the right number of BTUs for the space you're trying to cool. To find the perfect air conditioner size for your space, use our AC BTU calculator.

Clean or Replace Air Conditioner Filters

Don't ignore that little red light! The most important AC maintenance task is to routinely clean or replace the filter. A clogged, dirty filter blocks normal airflow and significantly reduces air conditioner energy efficiency. Cleaning or replacing a dirty air filter will lower energy consumption of your air conditioner by up to 15 percent. Some types of filters are reusable and others must be replaced. You should clean or replace filters every month while the AC is in use during the summer season. You may need to give filters more frequent attention if your air conditioner is in constant use, subjected to dusty conditions, or you have a furry pet in the house. In addition to checking the filters, you should look at your evaporator coil once a year and clean it as necessary.

Air Conditioner Temperature Settings and Auto Mode

What's the best ac temperature for energy saving? When you and your family are at home, the temperature you set the unit at will depend greatly on what feels comfortable to you. Start by setting the unit to 75 degrees, see how everyone feels, and raise or lower the temperature accordingly. Setting the temperature so that it only varies a few degrees is best practice for a power efficient air conditioner. When nobody's home, bring the temperature up a few degrees. When people are home, drop the temperature.

You can also set your air conditioner to Auto Mode. If you leave your unit running constantly, the system won't have a chance to drain off the water that's condensed on its evaporator coil. Instead, it will blow it back into your home. In Auto Mode, the unit has a chance to recover and remove all accumulated condensation each time it shuts off. The idea is to keep a comfortable temperature maintained.

If it gets cool enough at night, give your air conditioner a break! When the temperature drops in the evening, open your windows and use a fan to circulate the cool air. Fans use much less energy than an air conditioner.

Air conditioning doesn't have to be a major drain on your energy bills. When you follow these simple steps toward a power efficient AC, you won't have to choose between your wallet and your comfort. Have a great summer, and stay cool!