Reduce Your Utility Bills With These Air Conditioning Tips
Air conditioning systems will provide your home with favourable temperatures both in winter and in summer. However, if your air conditioning unit is not working efficiently or is being affected by other external environmental factors, you may end up with very high utility bills. Here are a few secrets for improving the efficiency of your air conditioning unit and lowering your utility bills.
Set Your Air Conditioning Unit A Few Degrees Warmer
While this might sound like something you wouldn't want to do, especially in the hot temperatures of summer, it can make you pay less. There is a standard recommended temperature for most A/C units that you should set. Find out from the buyer the exact temperature and remember to set your A/C unit just a few degrees higher. This is because if you set it to very low temperatures compared to the outside temperature, your A/C unit will have to work harder to cool the air and this will result in high cooling bills.
Consider Using A Ceiling Fan
If you feel like setting your A/C unit a few degrees higher won't do the trick for you, consider using a ceiling fan in conjunction with your A/C unit. While a ceiling fan will not actually cool the room, it will blow the hot air away from your body, making you feel cool. This means that you won't have a problem setting your A/C unit at a higher temperature and paying less on cooling costs.
However, for the ceiling fan to work best together with your A/C unit, you need to make sure that it's spinning in the right direction. The fan has to blow down so that it sends air past your body. Otherwise, it won't be of any good if the air is being blown up. You will know whether the ceiling fan is blowing up or down by looking at the direction in which it spins. For most fans, a clockwise spin usually blows up while an anti-clockwise spin blows down.
Clothe Your Windows
Sunlight is a major contributor of hot air in your home. Therefore, using window films or solar screens on your windows can help intercept a huge amount of sunlight before it enters your home. This means that your A/C won't have to work as hard to maintain cool inside temperatures. However, window films and solar screens work best for windows that have an east-west orientation because of the direction of sunlight from sunrise through sunset.
Regardless of whether you are using an energy-efficient A/C unit, a ceiling fan, or a programmable thermostat among others, the unit won't work efficiently if it is not maintained properly, which means that you might actually even spend more. Therefore, make it a habit to clean the filters, the condenser coils, and the coolant lines. Also, make sure your A/C unit is clear of any debris that may block the vents.