How to Run Your Air Conditioning Unit More Efficiently

In the sweltering heat of the summer season, it's always great to have an air conditioning system installed in your home to help cool down your in-home temperature and make your living environment a little more comfortable. While running your air conditioner can help make your home more bearable and decrease the amount of perspiration you put off, a system can actually increase your energy usage, especially if it isn't running as efficiently as it could be. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to ensure that your A/C unit is running optimally, and that you're getting the biggest bang for your buck in terms of the energy you use for cooling.

Clean the A/C air filter.

A unit that suffers from a lack of air flow will run less efficiently, and will use more energy to do the same amount of work as a healthy air conditioner would accomplish in less time. A filter cleaning can decrease energy usage between 5% and 15%.

Have your vents and ducts checked.

Air flow problems in your ducts and vents, in combination with poor insulation in these areas, can mean your A/C unit has to do more work in order to cool your home. If you aren't knowledgeable about what to look for on your own, it's a good idea to call in a heating and cooling specialist that can check the system out for you and let you know about any problems that need to be addressed.

Find air leaks in your home.

Leaky areas inside your home provide opportunities for air to escape, reducing the coolness and making your home feel more uncomfortable. Common areas for leaks to occur are near windows and doors, and also in fireplaces where a chimney extends up to the outside of your home.

Set your thermostat to 78.

A comfortable temperature to have your thermostat at during the summer is 78 degrees. This will bring your home down to a nice, cool temperature when compared to the outdoors, and it will also help you save money on energy when running your air conditioning unit. Having a thermostat at 78 degrees saves between 12% and 47% over having it set at 72 degrees.

Be sure to keep these tips in mind when summer comes around, and keep track of your home energy bills to be sure that you're seeing a savings as a result of cutting back on the energy you're using. When your air conditioning unit runs more efficiently, you not only bring down the temperature in your home -- you bring down the toll it takes on your wallet.