How to Lower Your AC Power Consumption

Like many homeowners, you probably witness your electric bills soar high during the summer months. The power consumption of your air conditioning unit is at its peak during these months. When trying to lower your AC power consumption, an excellent way to start would be to look at your air con’s power rating. It is usually written on a label on your AC unit and indicates the amount of power it uses under normal conditions.

Many factors affect the efficiency of your AC’s performance, as well as its power usage. These include the unit’s age and condition, the room layout, the air duct design, air-tightness, and the weather. These factors make computing your exact power expenses more difficult.

Here are some tips on how you can reduce the power consumption of your air conditioning unit:

Use a circulating fan such as a ceiling fan.

While a fan doesn’t make a room cooler, it makes the space more comfortable to stay in. The wind-chill effect can make you feel 6 to 7 degrees cooler. Just make sure to switch off the fan once done using it. Otherwise, it will only put your energy-saving efforts in vain.
When using your air con, having a ceiling fan can help distribute cooled air more efficiently. It also allows a higher thermostat by at least 4 degrees.

Maintain your cooling system well.

Installing a programmable thermostat on an energy efficient air conditioning unit isn’t enough to save on power consumption without proper care and maintenance. When dirty filters block the airflow, they make your AC unit work double time in cooling your home.

A good AC power consumption saver would be to clean or replace your air filters monthly. This step can save around 5% – 15% in energy cost. If your home has a central cooling system, make sure that dust or furniture don’t block the floor registers. The condenser coils and evaporator must also be free from dirt and other blockages like fallen branches, leaves, and grass. Regularly clip foliage to make sure that it is always no less than 2 feet away from the condenser.

Prevent build-up of heat during the day.

When the temperature outdoors is higher than the indoor temperature, avoid doing activities that produce a lot of heat. These include stovetop cooking and using the clothes dryer or dishwasher. If possible, replace these activities with grilling or microwaving your food, as well as washing your dishes by hand, and air-drying them. You can hang your clothes on a clothesline.
If these alternatives are not possible, do them at night when the temperature is lower. When you take a bath at the hottest time of the day, don’t forget to use the exhaust fan in the bathroom to help spot-ventilate, and get rid of excess humidity and heat. The TV, stereo, and computer also generate a lot of heat. By merely refraining from using them, you’ll save on electricity bills as it will keep your AC from working harder.

Use your AC more economically.

Just by setting your air conditioner at a temperature that is as high as possible to be comfortable enough, and increasing the temperature using a programmable thermostat when you’re asleep or out of the room, can help lower your power consumption by around 10%.
Bear in mind that the smaller the variance between the temperatures inside and outside your home during the summer season, the lower power bill you’re likely to pay. Setting your thermostat to 780 F instead of 720 F can help chop off your electricity consumption by around 18%, but you must be willing to endure a bit of heat.
When entering their hot home, people tend to set the AC to a temperature that is colder than usual. However, this won’t help cool your home faster than usual. It will only result in higher energy spending.

Use blinds, shades, and curtains.

By preventing solar heat from getting into your home, you contribute a lot to your energy-saving efforts. High-quality blinds, for example, can lower heat gain by about 45% if they are completely closed during warm sunny days. Light-colored treatment may also help. The lighter the shade, the more it can deflect the rays of the sun. Hang shades as close as possible to the window pane. This will help them prevent heat from the outside to radiate inside your home.

Follow the tips provided in this post. In time, you’ll notice a significant drop in your AC power consumption, as well as in your total energy bill.

If you need to schedule an AC tune-up, call American AC Heat Plumbing. We have a team of highly trained and experienced technicians who will perform every job right. They also have a friendly customer support staff  is ready to ensure that every issue gets resolved to the customer’s satisfaction. No wonder they are known as “The Company Your Neighbors Trust.” Call them today to schedule a professional cleaning or other maintenance work!