Anyone who has seen their electric bill skyrocket knows that air conditioners can come with big, unpredictable costs. There are many factors that determine how much energy your unit uses. Today we’ll be looking at some easy ways to reduce your AC’s power consumption.

Use a Thermostat
It’s important to ensure that your unit is only running when needed and that the temperature is set properly at all times. With an automated or smart thermostat, it can be easy to reduce your air conditioner’s power consumption. Install a thermostat with a programmable schedule to set your unit to not cool when there is no one around. Some thermostats even come with an app that lets you control the temperature remotely.

Insulate Your Space
You can’t benefit from energy-efficient air conditioning if you let all of that cool air escape. Insulating is a helpful step towards reducing power consumption if you can’t replace your air conditioner. Your AC won’t have to work as hard to get the desired temperature if you can seal up any leaky spots around your house. Components such as pipes, ducts, and outlets can be some of the highest priority spots for extra insulation.

Fans and Drapes
If you’re trying to save energy by keeping your home set at a slightly warmer temperature, ceiling fans are a great way to maintain air circulation while using a lot less energy. They can actually make your home up to 8 degrees cooler because they constantly keep air moving. Sunlight that enters through the windows converts to heat once inside. Shutting blinds and drapes on any windows facing south or west will mean you don’t have to pay to remove extra heat.

Retrofit Your Unit
Certain parts of an old air conditioner can be upgraded to make it more energy-efficient. Retrofitting is a good option if you’re not ready to buy a new unit. There are many ways you can reduce your unit’s power consumption without replacing it, such as adding more ventilation, condenser fan controls, or replacing the compressor. Upgrading your current unit is a reasonable option if your air conditioner has been regularly maintained.

reducing energy consumption for your air conditioner