Effective use

Tips to plug excessive energy consumption in air conditioners

Reducing energy costs from all electrical appliances is a justified task, regardless of the price of fuel and electricity. Home air conditioning systems during warm times of the year contribute to higher energy usage. Even the most energy-efficient models will raise the monthly utility bill. There are many things a homeowner can do to reduce the energy used by air conditioners.

Reduce the Need

Tighten air leaks to the outside of the home by caulking open joints in the siding and window trim. Add window and door foam seals to all openings. Add more insulation to the walls and attics to meet local code regulations for your particular area. Remove energyinefficient appliances and lighting that add more heat in your home. Older refrigerators and large ballast fluorescent light fixtures will generate large amounts of heat, so the air conditioner must work even harder to remove the extra energy. Add window shades to keep out the sunlight on warm days. Use window treatments and fabrics that trap the heat between them and the glass window. Install individual room ceiling fans to circulate the air. Shut fans off when nobody is present in that room. Install a whole house fan to remove the warm air from the interior. These types of units work well in areas of the country with a low humidity value.

Help the existing system

Replace or clean air conditioner filters on a monthly basis during heavy usage. Dust in the home is constantly captured by these filters. Build-up on the material restricts airflow, which makes the entire system work harder. Install a new programmable thermostat. Set the temperature to a higher setting when nobody is present in the home. Keep all doors and windows closed when the system is under operation. Drawing outdoor, humid air indoors defeats the purpose of air conditioning. Close registers in unoccupied rooms. (Do not close too many or the system may ice up from lack of airflow or pressure build-up). Operate high-humidity devices such as dishwashers and clothes washing machines at night. The system will not have to work as hard removing the heat with the cooler night air. Hire a licensed technician to thoroughly inspect the air conditioning system at least once every three years. Not only will they service all the equipment, but they may be able to ward off unexpected problems.