Guest Blogger: Saving Energy Using your A/C this Summer

 Guest Blogger #960, Entry #2419, May 15, 2013

Anyone who enjoys a warm climate knows that it doesn’t come without its costs, and this is never more true than during the summer months when temperatures hit the triple digits and force you to crank up the air conditioning. Sure, it’s nice to have balmy winters with temps no lower than the 50s and blizzards nothing more than something you see on the weather report for other parts of the country, but you certainly pay during the summer. Unless you like the feeling of sweat running down your spine or you enjoy tossing out moldy bread every couple of days, you’re going to have to turn on the AC at some point. And that means crazy utility bills that are double, triple, or otherwise significantly higher than what you pay throughout the rest of the year. That said, there are a few ways you can economize without resigning yourself to a summer of sweaty misery. Here are some great tips to improve the efficiency of your air conditioning in order to save a little money while keeping cool.

Save energy with a window film

Image via: Schwartz and Architecture

Energy film.

While you can certainly get shaded film that will cut the glare of the sun, you may not realize that energy film is specially designed to help reduce your interior temperatures, sometime by several degrees. And considering there are options that allow you an unobstructed view out the window while providing screening that stops outsiders from looking in, you can get a lot of value from this energy-efficient purchase.

Plant a tree…or three.

Trees do more than just beautify your landscape and provide you with oxygen; they can also offer shade for your home that helps to keep the interior cool. So plant a few around the perimeter of your home and watch the savings add up. You can even opt for drought-resistant plants in order to conserve water, as well.

Install a programmable thermostat.

If you’re still dealing with an old-school dial it’s high time you made the switch to a digital, programmable thermostat that can offer you precise temperature control. In addition, you can set a schedule that allows for minimal usage (maintenance) during peak hours when the family is at work and school anyway, while reaching optimum temperature before you arrive home.

Install a programmable thermostat

Image via: Nest

Energy-Star HVAC.

Learning how to replace an HVAC filter on your own could allow you to improve your AC efficiency slightly while saving you some money on installation, but it won’t show a significant reduction in costs. What will help you to save some serious dough when you cool your home, however, is upgrading to a modern, efficient, Energy-Star model air conditioning unit. These are designed to help reduce refrigerant use while optimizing output, giving you the cool air you need without jacking up your energy usage or your utility bills.

Energy audit.

The first thing you should do if you think you’re overpaying for AC is call your local power provider (or an independent organization) to schedule an energy audit. A professional will come to your home, perform a complete inspection, and deliver a report outlining the areas in which you could improve your home in order to maximize energy efficiency. Often this entails tasks like adding weather stripping or increasing insulation in certain areas (around windows, doors, and ductwork, for example).

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