Air Conditioning

How to Conserve AC Energy During the Summer

David Rampey ·

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With the cost of so many things having risen recently, we're all concerned about saving money wherever we can, and one way to do this is to conserve AC energy. Since the cost of energy to run your air conditioner is probably your greatest energy expense, it makes sense to conserve AC energy and keep your utility bill in check.

Here are some tips for how to conserve AC energy in your home this summer.

  1. Air seal your home. When your home is not airtight, conditioned air can leak out and unconditioned air can make its way inside the house. If you have an older home or a home where the construction is not that tight, you may need to go around the house and look for air leaks. Leaks are typically found around baseboards, around door and window frames, around electric switches, near recessed lighting, and linked to your HVAC ductwork. Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping.

  2. Close out solar radiation. You can lower your energy bill significantly by keeping solar radiation from penetrating windows. Close drapes, blinds, and shades in the daytime.

  3. Schedule AC maintenance. Every spring, it's a good idea to schedule AC maintenance to ensure your equipment is running as efficiently as it can. Your tech can find problems that may lead your AC to labor to cool and correct them.

  4. Change your filter regularly. A dirty filter will impede airflow, causing the air conditioner to struggle to meet thermostat set points. A clean filter allows air to flow freely through your system so that it cools as expected.

  5. Insulate the home as needed. Adding insulation at key sites around the home will help it stay cooler and keep out intrusive hot air. Look into adding a layer of insulation on the ceiling floor of your attic. This layer will help keep cool air from migrating into a hot attic, increasing the efficiency of your air conditioner. You may also need to insulate air ducts so your system's conditioned air is not subject to compromise from heat or humidity.

For more on how to conserve AC energy, contact Air Assurance. We serve Broken Arrow and the surrounding area.