Saving on energy costs of running an air conditioner does not require that you reduce your AC usage, but simple adjustments to your home can make a difference.
The summertime is air conditioner season, and this is the time when you find that most households that have an AC unit installed are putting it to good use in an effort to keep their indoor spaces cooler than the hot and humid temperatures that summer brings with it.
Having an air conditioner is definitely convenient and makes your living spaces more comfortable when the heat becomes unbearable. But with the use of a unit comes running expenses so, is there a way to save while still enjoying the pleasure of cooling?
Saving money on air conditioning
There is no doubt that having an air conditioner is not cheap. You will have to spend money to enjoy the benefits of an efficient cooling system as air conditioners do use quite a bit of electricity, even energy-efficient models.
This is why it is crucial to know how to use your air conditioner in a way that you are saving in some way as opposed to just dealing with hefty running costs that you can avoid.
How can I save money on my AC in the summer?
The cost of running an air conditioner does not have to be the reason that you suffer through the heat to avoid the stress of dealing with the bills.
There are actually various ways of saving money and they involve making the right adjustments in your home and using the air conditioner correctly and strategically.
Choose the right location for your air conditioner, particularly the outside unit. Positioning it in a shaded area where it is not in direct contact with the sun increases a unit’s efficiency.
Maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the day can help the unit work at a constant temperature instead of at fluctuating temperatures, which make it overwork to achieve the desired temperature indoors.
Making some adjustments in your home can also help the air conditioner work better and more efficiently and, in turn, save you money.
Things such as your windows can make a huge difference. Ensuring that they do not have any air leaks will reduce the burden on your air conditioner.
In summer, even the sunlight can transmit heat through the windows so you should cover them with window films that can prevent too much sunlight entering through.
These films make for a great alternative to using heavy curtains. Finally, ensuring that your air conditioner is regularly maintained is imperative.
Coupling your air conditioner with a fan
Other appliances can help you save money in your air conditioner usage. Investing in a ceiling fan can significantly help circulate the cool air in the room, taking some of the burden off your air conditioner.
This will aid your unit since you would not have to turn the air conditioner to its coolest temperature and have it working at its maximum power. Fans help the air conditioner air circulate better.
Blocking out heat with solar screen
Your windows and doors will likely transfer sunlight into your home and this eventually increases the humidity levels in the home. You can block out a lot of light by covering your windows and doors with solar screens.
Solar screens have the ability to block up to 70 percent of heat transfer. Both window films and solar screens are available for purchase on Amazon.
Unplugging heat-generating electronic and household devices
Sometimes the heat in your home is generated by other appliances around the house. These appliances need to be unplugged when they are not in use especially when the air conditioner is switched on.
Generated heat from such appliances end up increasing the overall temperatures in the home, which leads to the unit working harder to cool down an area.
A stove is one of the main culprits of this, but other electronic devices that use electricity can be to blame too.