Summer air conditioning tips

Summer air conditioning tips | Angies List, Angie's List

Date Published: Apr 30 2009

Keep your home cool without breaking your budget--or your air conditioner!

To keep air conditioning costs down this summer, don’t place lamps, TV sets, or other heat producing appliances near your thermostat. The thermostat senses the heat causing the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
Each degree you go below 78 increases your energy consumption by about 8 percent
Clean and replace the air conditioner filter frequently. This is especially important during the summer when dust and allergens circulate. If the filter becomes clogged, your system will have to work harder to supply the same amount of cool air. If your air conditioner needs repair, use Angie's List consumer reviews to find a top rated HVAC specialist in your area.
Air conditioners with proper shading can be more efficient. Air in a shaded space is cooler than the surrounding air meaning the AC will have an easier time cooling the air, but keep plants, shrubs, and other landscaping about two to four feet away from your outdoor unit to ensure adequate airflow.
When buying new air conditioners, refrigerators or windows, consider energy-efficient versions. They’re usually more expensive but thanks to federal tax credits and competitive prices, the prices are falling, and because they use less energy, you save in the long-run, too.

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12 air conditioner tips to beat the heat

Air conditioners need to be tuned up annually to maintain efficiency.

These 12 tips will help you maintain your air conditioning unit, and save money on energy costs.

Comments

Permalink Submitted by Kevin G on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

As a homeowner I have had good results with the shade or dark screens. I live in the south and had quite a few southern and west facing windows. Had solar screens installed. House is much cooler, comfortable.

Permalink Submitted by Susan on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

I too have had the solar screens installed outside on both south and west sides of my home. We are very pleased with the outcome: A/C runs less and house is temperate!

Permalink Submitted by awnette on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

Another great way to keep energy costs down in the heat of the summer is by installing energy efficient AWNINGS. Keeping the sun's heat off the windows keeps heat out of the home. Awnings reduce interior temperatures up to 15 degrees and air conditioning costs up to 25%. Best way to save money and keep your a/c units from working so hard.

Permalink Submitted by kate on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

Get a room air conditioner (sears) and shut the door, let it cool, then turn off and run the fan. Works great, saves a bit.

Permalink Submitted by Kathy Lee on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

Last year I purchased energy efficient appliances including TVs,phones and laptop. Every light bulb is now florescent and I have radium barrier in my attic. Here is the problem.... if the electric company makes an estimate on usage and does not read the meter none of this matters. I've asked that the meter reader knock on my door( I am home)but that never happens. Any suggestions? Thanks

Permalink Submitted by rudy on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

Kathy Lee - it will average over time unless they cheat. You should record your meter reading yourself and compare the readings with the meter reader's estimates on a monthly basis. If you see that they consistently overestimate, refuse to pay until your own readings have caught up with theirs.

Permalink Submitted by frolic_gent on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

Have you ever refused to pay a dispute with TXU. You talk to poor English speaking persons in India and they are zero help. They will, however, gladly terminate your service. I double paid and have the receipts but it didnt match their records.

Permalink Submitted by Hawaiian in LV on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

Kathy-Lee A step further to Rudy's suggestion since your're home all day. Find you meter, each day at the same time take the meter reading and record it. Easy to read your meter. This will give you daily usage and compare E/company invoice meter reading since you'll have daily meter reading. Also will help you to control your energy cost if you able to tweak your a/c setting etc. Bottom line, you control floating cash to your electric company or complain to your PUC on your billing if billing estimate is to great from actual. Good luck from the desert.

Permalink Submitted by W. Jennings Bryan on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

Do you know how A/C works? It moves heat. In-Out or Out-In by use of a compressible gas called Freon. Shading the outside portion of your A/C does something but little compared to other things to increase it's efficiency. Awnings, E-glass, Thermopane, not generating indoor humidity, non-peak usage, shades, curtains. Besides heat thrown off by you A/C can damage plants and trees near-by. When you make decisions make them logical and factually based not necessarily Internet based.

Permalink Submitted by Abbott on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

How about NOT running the air? Can you handle only 87, by simply keeping the fans on? Four fans running 24 hours a day use up under $20/month in electricity. Better than paying those thieves at FPL over $165, just to keep it at 80 degrees. Take a cruise instead!

Permalink Submitted by Garry Steinke on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

For the largest possible energy savings and best comfort possible, check your attic for insulation. You should have AT LEAST 15 inches of fiberglass insulation above your ceiling drywall.

Permalink Submitted by Timma on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

Kathy, I live in Kansas. Our electric company gives us the option of entering our own meter readings, and they offer instructions on how to take an accurate reading. You might check to see if your electric company offers something similar. Also, our electric company offers an averaged payment plan. They look at your overall usage from last year and you pay a monthly average. It's nice because you don't get a fluctuating energy bill. It's pretty close to the same every month.

Permalink Submitted by Judi on Tue, 2012-02-07 14:10

is it ok to cover an air conditioning unit that is outside during the winter months when not in use?

Portable Air conditioners

Permalink Submitted by MarlaJ on Thu, 2012-07-05 16:07

This is really great information for central air conditioners. What about portable air conditioners? Other than draining the water and cleaning the filter, what else should be a part of the maintenance? I have a portable air conditioner that I purchased 2 years ago that is not getting as cold as it did back then. It never gets cooler than 81 degrees. Can a portable ac receive a professional tune up? Please respond only if you have experience with this. Many thanks

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