Staying cool is a vital part of enjoying your at-home experience. However, many air conditioner users face challenges regarding wasted energy and sustainability. Upgrading and maintaining your air conditioner and using other energy-efficient cooling methods can enhance your energy efficiency and help you find sustainable practices to stay comfortable. Here, you can find 10 tips to make your air conditioner more energy-efficient and sustainable.
Installing a smart or programmable thermostat is an excellent way to achieve sustainability with minimal impacts on your routine. This convenient technology empowers you to designate cooling times, avoiding wasted energy while remaining comfortable. You can set these thermostats to higher temperatures when you’re not home or during cooler periods, like at night. You can also designate times for the air conditioner to turn back on. For instance, you could program it to turn off the air while you’re at work and kick it back on when commuting home for the night. This strategy allows you to conserve energy when you’re away, while ensuring you have a cool home when you return.
Insulating and weatherizing your home is one of the best ways to maintain a consistent temperature. Any gaps or cracks in the walls, near the doors or by your windows leading to the exterior can cause wasted energy and inconsistent temperatures. You can use several methods to weatherize your home. For instance, you can seal cracks with fillers to prevent air from escaping and implement weatherstripping around doors and windows with large gaps. You can also use panels on either side of window AC units to secure them and reduce wasted energy.
Air filters are a vital component of your air conditioning system. For HVAC systems, these filters reduce wear and tear and help improve indoor air quality. Clogged filters prevent the appropriate amount of air from flowing throughout your system and into your space. This problem causes your air conditioner to work harder than it should to keep your home at your desired temperature. With this extra effort, your system wastes energy trying to cool you down. You should replace and clean your filters regularly as part of your routine preventive care and maintenance.
If your air conditioning system relies on ductwork, it should have the proper insulation, and you must seal any leaks as quickly as possible. Leaky ducts can result in several hundred dollars of additional spending toward heating and cooling. Sealants, plastic bands, sheet metal screws and similar materials will provide a longer-lasting sealing solution than some DIY choices, such as tape.
Proper system maintenance is essential for keeping a healthy and comfortable environment. Professional upkeep ensures your air conditioner continues running at peak performance and allows you to identify minor issues before they create significant problems. Annual inspections will evaluate whether you need to replace any components and provide the cleaning or repair services necessary to ensure your system keeps you cool without wasting energy.
Some air conditioners have a compressor that forces heat outside your home. If your system has this component, you must clean it regularly and monitor its condition. If possible, the compressor should be in a shaded location that is free of debris and weeds. Compressor problems can quickly cause issues for your entire system, so inspect it for signs of wear and tear or damage each time you clean.
You can also consider switching to a variable-speed compressor. These models adjust outputs to meet your cooling needs rather than running consistently at full power like traditional compressors. This simple upgrade can bring energy savings, better efficiency and enhanced at-home comfort.
Ceiling fans can help you save energy in several ways. First, you can use your fans to circulate cool air around your space, allowing you to set your thermostat to higher temperatures. You can reduce the need for a consistently running AC unit by relying on ceiling fans. Additionally, you can use fans to create cross-breezes — one fan can blow warm air out of your home and another will pull cool air in. This cross-ventilation allows you to lower interior temperatures without relying on the AC.
Window treatments like shades, curtains and blinds allow you to maximize cooling techniques. Using these elements during peak daytime hours can help block out sunlight and heat. Blackout curtains can prevent light from entering, while reflective films bounce UV rays away. At the very least, blinds can help you control the amount of light and heat that enters each room, allowing you to find the sweet spot for each location.
You can also use your natural surroundings to maximize shade and cooling. For example, strategically planting trees around your yard can cast natural shade over your home and prevent sunlight from entering, meaning you gain less heat. Similarly, you can install awnings above windows and doors to reduce the need to run your air conditioner.
Areas like bathrooms and kitchens can build humidity from various moisture sources. Ventilation reduces the need to run the AC at cooler temperatures.
You can also implement natural ventilation techniques to reduce your air conditioner usage. For instance, try turning off the AC at night and opening your windows instead. As the sun sets, temperatures will drop, creating comfortable breezes that decrease your air conditioner reliance.
Additionally, you should ensure furniture and objects do not block airflow. Placing large items in front of your units or vents can obstruct ventilation and lead to inconsistent temperatures.
Sometimes, investing in a new system is the best way to enhance sustainability. Traditional air conditioners and furnaces require more energy to heat and cool your home. You could be losing out on significant savings and energy-efficiency potential by using older models. Alternatively, new HVAC systems offer more eco-friendly features to reduce energy consumption and waste. These can provide substantial financial savings while reducing your environmental impact. Selecting an energy-efficient HVAC can help you see as much as 30% in savings in annual energy bills.
Strada Air Conditioning & Heating is your local HVAC expert in the Southeast. With locations across North and South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, you can always find a reliable team ready to deliver the services you need to enhance comfort and improve energy efficiency. We offer a range of air conditioning services, from maintenance to repairs to new system installations, so you can ensure a well-maintained system and stay comfortable. Schedule your air conditioning service with us to begin experiencing energy savings.
Joe Strada, owner of Strada Electric, Security & Air Conditioning, started working at the young age of 14. He’s never attended college, but he has spent his life dedicating his time and energy to his trade and providing high-quality services to his customers. At 19, Joe started working at a well-known air conditioning company and developing his commitment to excellence. He has state certifications in electric, plumbing, air conditioning, residential building and general contracting. During his years of training and experience, Joe noticed a sincere need for a dependable electrical contractor in Florida who embodied the same dedication to customer service in which he believed. In 2003, Joe co-founded Strada Electric, Security & Air Conditioning. Since then, the company has been in the business of providing peace of mind to customers. We offer expert electric, security and air conditioning solutions for homes and businesses, leveraging our experience to deliver professional and responsive service with reliability and respect.
