Air Conditioner Tips That Can Save You Money In The Long Run
If you live in an area with hot summers, your air conditioner might work overtime during the warm season. While this can make your life bearable, this can also lead to costly energy bills and repairs. Here are four tips when it comes to using your AC unit that can save you money in the long run.
1. Give Your AC Unit a Break
When the summer heats up, you might overuse your AC unit when you really don't have to. There are some other ways to cool down your home. Look into investing in ceiling fans, not using the oven or dryer on hot days, and getting airflow in your home from outside during cooler evenings and nights. These habits will give you a chance to turn off your AC and waste less energy on cooling efforts used in your home.
2. Invest in a Thermostat Timer
Even if you are on top of your day-to-day household duties, you might forget to give your air conditioning a break when you are gone for the day and during the evenings. If you can get your AC on a set timer, your unit can automatically cool down your home when you need this but adjust accordingly in the middle of the night and when you are away. This will keep you from accidentally running your AC unit for hours when this isn't needed, ultimately running up your energy bill.
3. Yearly Servicing in the Spring
If you don't have your AC unit serviced before the first heatwave of the summer, you might run into trouble right around the same time as everyone else in your area. This can lead to costly emergency repairs when AC repair professionals are working overtime with many clients at once. Get ahead of the game before your situation is dire and have your AC unit serviced every spring so you are ready for the hot summer months.
4. Check Vents for Debris and Access
While your AC unit might be doing exactly what it should be, you might be inadvertently blocking vents. Check around your home to make sure that couches and chairs aren't covering vents that could be helping with the circulation of cold air in your home. It is easy to also ensure that all vents are open and haven't been knocked shut over time. Clean vent covers and making sure there isn't built up debris at vent openings to give your AC unit a better chance of cooling your home efficiently.
Sometimes even some minor changes in your lifestyle can cut down on energy bills and extend the life of your air conditioning unit. While there might always be emergencies, the more that you can cut down on your AC unit's overuse, the more money you can save with repair and replacement needs.