This summer, more than ever, households across the country are looking to cut costs. For many, that may mean looking at their HVAC system to see where they can carve out some expenses.

If you’re looking to keep cool this summer but wondering how to save money on your air conditioning bill, we’ve got some tips for you!

Top Five Tips to Save Money on Air Conditioning This Summer

  1. Clean your air filters regularly – You can lower your energy use 5-15% by replacing dirty or clogged filters.
  1. Be sure to schedule maintenance on your air conditioner – Regular maintenance will help identify the smaller problems before they become big ones. It can also help ensure that your system is running as efficiently as possible.
  1. Consider a programmable thermostat– These modern thermostats have the ability to help you save money on your electric bill and conserve energy, often using your habits to determine the best temperature for your AC to save you money.
  2. Use ceiling fans – The ceiling fans in your home will help cool you off and reduce the amount you use your A/C.
  3. Seal your ducts – Leaking ducts can account for about 30% of your AC system’s energy use.

Clean your air filters regularly 

While an air conditioning unit is generally low maintenance, one task that you should never overlook is cleaning the air filter. A clean air filter can not only lower your energy use 5-15%, but it also helps to remove contaminants from your home’s air supply, leading to improved indoor air quality.

The air filter in your HVAC system helps to remove numerous airborne particles including: 

When an air filter is free from clogs and obstruction, your air conditioner is able to work more effectively. Think of the air filter as a tunnel entry – if you have a bunch of cars clogging the entrance to the tunnel, very few cars are able to pass through.

The same can be said for your HVAC air filter – the more clogged the filter is, the less air is able to get through, causing your system to work harder to circulate and cool your indoor air. Cleaning or replacing your air filter at least every three months is necessary, although we at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning recommend you do so monthly. Especially if you have pets. This small step will keep your energy usage down and your air quality levels high.

Be sure to schedule maintenance on your air conditioner 

In order to avoid system failures and ensure your HVAC system is performing at its peak, nothing is as important as scheduled annual check-ups. When a system receives regular and thorough maintenance, you are protected from sudden system failures.

Annual system maintenance will help identify smaller problems before they become big ones, leading to your home reaching uncomfortable temperatures while you wait for repairs. Regular maintenance can also help ensure that your system is running as efficiently as possible, saving you money in the long run.

Consider a programmable thermostat

Smart thermostats are the future of HVAC. These modern thermostats have the ability to help you save money on your electric bill and conserve energy by monitoring several elements including your indoor humidity, whether anyone is home to enjoy the cool air or not, and even setting temperatures higher or lower based on the time of day.

In addition to programmable and smart thermostats, another consideration to improve not only your home’s air management but to increase your energy savings is smart vents. Smart vents allow you to control the airflow and temperature from room to room, improving your ability to manage individual room temperatures and increase comfortability across your home.

Use ceiling fans

The ceiling fans in your home will help cool you off and reduce the amount you use your A/C. While fans are excellent sources of cooling down a warm body, they are not a good source for changing the temperature of a room as their main job is to move air around, not to cool it. So, to save even more money, be sure to only run your fans in rooms that people are currently occupying. Otherwise, you are paying to have the air pushed around the room with no one to enjoy the cooling breeze.

Seal your ducts

There is no question that having properly sealed ducts is crucial for your HVAC system to work efficiently and effectively. After all, your duct system is what delivers both cooled and warmed air into your rooms. Leaking ducts can account for about 30% of your AC system’s energy use and approximately 30 cents of every dollar spent on your home’s energy can be wasted by leaking ductwork.

Not only will properly sealed ducts save money on your energy bill, but you will also save yourself from having to replace your entire HVAC system early. Leaking ducts decrease the airflow into your home causing your system to work harder to cool your home, lowering the lifespan of your unit over time. Ensuring your ducts have a proper seal will provide both short and long-term cost savings.

Call the Experts to Save Money Today

Contact the professionals at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning today for help with making sure you’re keeping your HVAC system as efficient as possible, allowing you to keep some extra cash in your pockets.