15 Ways to Reduce Air Conditioning Costs

Are you burdened by increasing utility bills this summer? To cut AC costs without losing comfort, you should adopt energy-saving habits, implement low-cost changes and make strategic long-term investments. Here are 15 tried and tested tips to try.

Adopt Good Energy Habits

Lowering cooling costs may be easier than you imagine. Here are some completely free ways to ease your monthly energy bills:

1. Keep curtains and blinds closed: About 76 percent of the sunlight that beats down on standard double-pane windows goes into the building as heat. By blocking out the sun by pulling insulating curtains and blinds over your south- and west-facing windows, you lessen solar heat gain in the afternoon and reduce the necessity for air conditioning.

2. Turn up the temperature: You can save up to three percent on your cooling bills for each degree you increase the temperature. Try setting your thermostat a tad higher than usual and operating a fan to make up the difference.

3. Flip off the lights when not in use: Lights, especially incandescent bulbs, produce quite a lot of heat. Turning them off when you leave the area lowers the interior heat gain your air conditioning must combat.

4. Use appliances strategically: Wait to use heat-generating appliances like the oven, dryer and dishwasher until the cool part of the day. This approach relieves some of your AC’s burden during the hot afternoon, bringing down your bill and maximizing home comfort.

5. Run kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans: Remove heat and humidity while cooking and showering to diminish the workload on your air conditioning.

Invest in Low-Cost Upgrades

If you’re willing to part with a few dollars, you can put an even bigger dent in your cooling expenses. Here are some affordable upgrades to consider:

6. Purchase a programmable thermostat: If you still have an older thermostat, consider upgrading. A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature according to your activities. You can trim AC bills by up to 10 percent by setting the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours per day. Thanks to automatic recovery periods, you can experience these savings without inconvenience or discomfort.

7. Schedule regular maintenance: Your air conditioning requires routine checkups to make certain it runs easily and efficiently. Maintenance visits every spring also provide a chance to detect and fix small issues before they grow into expensive repairs. This small, predictable expense provides a substantial return on investment through improved efficiency and helps your AC last as long as possible.

8. Seal leaks: In a large number of homes, leaky windows and doors are responsible for around 25 percent of its cooling energy use. Close off those annoying leaks with caulk and weatherstripping.

9. Install reflective window film: Window film reflects the sun’s rays to the exterior, decreasing solar heat gain. This budget-friendly upgrade is a great way to improve your older windows’ efficiency without replacing them.

10. Upgrade to LED lights: LEDs create almost no heat and consume considerably less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. These qualities help keep your home more comfortable and reduce lighting costs as well.

Consider Long-Term Home Investments

If you’re looking to make more significant modifications, you may want to make the following investments to cut air conditioning costs in the long run:

11. Insulate the attic: Hot air can leak through the ceiling if your attic has not been adequately insulated. Look inside the attic, and if you don’t see a thick, even layer of insulation, you may want to look into adding more. Depending on what type of insulation you select, you might need to hire a professional for the job.

12. Plant trees for natural shade: Planting leafy trees on the south and west sides of your house reduces sunlight and generates a cool microclimate around your home, naturally lowering your cooling demands.

13. Replace your windows: Old, single-pane windows let in a lot of heat, making your HVAC system to work harder. Replacing single-pane windows with double- or triple-pane windows with innovative glazing features increases your home’s air-tightness and keeps the interior cooler.

14. Upgrade your AC system: Running an aging air conditioner costs more than you might think. Upgrading from a decade-old 10 SEER model to a modern 15 SEER unit can save you 33 percent on your AC bills. The savings opportunities of this purchase is even higher if you’re able to invest more up front.

15. Install solar panels: Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity to power your cooling system and other electric devices. The ongoing cost savings, coupled with tax incentives available through 2035, make this a valuable investment.

Save More on Your AC in Edmonton With Help From Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning

At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, we make the extra step to provide excellent HVAC services that help decrease air conditioning costs in the long run. Because of our high-quality products, Expert knowledge, and attention to detail, we feel very comfortable backing our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. To learn more about how we can help lower your summer AC expenditures, please contact the Experts at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. Schedule your appointment by calling 587-404-0790 today!