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Three Simple Ways That You Can Cut Down On Your Air Conditioner Usage

3 March 2016

Frederick Hamilton

Your air conditioner provides relief from the heat throughout the summer months, but the last thing you want this system to do is raise your temperature when your bill arrives. Excess usage of the A/C can lead to high energy bills, which is why it's important to take steps to maintain the coolness in your home without experiencing skyrocketing energy costs. Cutting back on your air conditioner usage doesn't mean that you have to be uncomfortable. Instead, it's simply a matter of looking at how you use your system and then making a series of simple changes, including these three.

Program Your Thermostat

If you don't make a point of properly programming your thermostat, your air conditioner could be running hours at a time when no one is in the home. This simple mistake can cause your energy bills to be much higher than necessary. By programming your thermostat, you won't have to constantly be worrying about remembering to shut off the A/C when you leave your home. One strategy is to set the unit so that the temperature can creep up a little when the house is empty but then cool down shortly before you get back home at the end of the day. It's also important to set the thermostat to shut off the A/C overnight so you can open the windows for cool air.

Plan Appliance Use Strategically

Your clothes dryer, your oven and several other appliances inject a considerable amount of heat into your living space, which will cause the A/C to run excessively to lower the temperature. Although you might not be able to get around using these appliances when it's hot outside, you should be able to use them strategically. For example, if you have to run the dryer, do so in the evening when the A/C is turned off and your windows are open. It's also beneficial if you can find alternatives, such as hanging your clothing outside on a rack or clothesline.

Seal Up Air Leaks

It's possible that your home isn't as efficient as it could be due to air leaks around doors and windows. These inefficiencies allow warm air to enter the home, prompting your air conditioner to run excessively. You can seal leaks around your doors by installing new trim. Around windows, a tube of water-resistant caulking can help you block any inefficiencies to keep the hot air outside. Contact a business, such as Ron Hammes Refrigeration, for more information. 

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