An air conditioner is the largest user of electricity in your home and it greatly affects your total monthly electric statement.
Follow these tips for real savings:
- Schedule a tune-up for your air conditioning system to make sure it is operating as efficiently as possible and that is has enough refrigerant to cool properly. If the freon level is low, your air conditioning unit will run more often and will increase your cooling cost.
- Make sure your windows and doors are tightly closed when running the air conditioner: keep hot air out and cool air in.
- If you have window units, close off rooms not in use.
- Use weather stripping around the window where the window unit is placed.
- Replace weather stripping and caulking around windows, doors and other areas.
- Install foam gaskets on power outlets and light switches located on outside walls.
- Use window coverings (blinds and drapes) during the day, especially on the east and west sides of the house.
- Turn window blinds up instead of down. Use white blinds instead of darker colors. White reflects light and heat, while dark colors absorb them. White blinds can reduce solar heat gain through windows by up to 50 percent.
- Install reflective film or solar screens on your windows. Run your dishwasher and clothes dryer in the evening (when the temperature in the house is cooler) to reduce the strain on the air conditioner system.
- Wash or replace monthly the filters in the window unit for greater efficiency. If you have a central unit, the air intake filters should be changed monthly. A dirty filter restricts airflow and could increase cost of your air conditioning system. A good reminder is to change the filter each time you receive your electric statement.
- Use fans to circulate cool air. You can get a "wind chill" effect of 3 to 4 degrees with fans, so you can turn your thermostat up.
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