6 Tips to Make Your Room Air Conditioner More Efficient

Summertime savings can be a difficult feat, especially, when your room air conditioning system is running for most of the day (and night). Add that to the fact that over the years, your AC system has probably lost some efficiency and you can kiss any big savings goodbye. But FEAR NOT!! There are still some simple energy efficiency tips you can implement to help your HVAC out a bit… and prevent your much-higher-than-usual power bill from burning a giant hole in your wallet.

Controlling Energy Consumption of Your Room Air Conditioner

Energy costs tend to rise as temperatures climb. In the U.S., energy costs eat between 5 and 22 percent of families’ total after-tax income but luckily the “worst” is over. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the highest energy consumption of the year is recorded in July, followed by August. That means we still have plenty of hot summer days to focus on controlling energy consumption for home.

1. Change Your Filter

At a minimum, you should be changing the filter on your central AC unit once every three months — and as often as once a month if your system is running all the time. A filthy filter could add 5% to 15% to your AC bill, and will shorten the lifespan of your whole system. Ignore this super simple (and inexpensive) DIY tip and you’ll experience decreased air flow, poor air quality or worse, a frozen evaporator coil.

2. Add a Dehumidifier

Adding a dehumidifier to your home may allow you to run your air conditioner less often. Maybe you’ve heard it before? “It’s not the heat. It’s the humidity!” High humidity can make you feel as if the air around you is warmer than it really is because all that excess moisture makes it harder for your body to cool down naturally. So, what happens? You end up turning down the temperature more than you really need to. A dehumidifier can help you save, using less energy and allowing you to use your room air conditioner less frequently.

3. Home Automation

A home automation system is helpful as it is designed to allow you to make changes to your AC system directly from your smart phone (or anywhere online). A smart thermostat connects to the Wi-Fi, allowing you to make adjustments on the fly, like if you’re going to arrive home late due to an unexpected work meeting (or maybe it was the happy hour). Super convenience with super savings.

4. Set the Temp

If possible, program your thermostat somewhere in the high 70s when you’re home. When you consider you’ll cut up to 3% off your AC bill for every degree you raise the temperature, it’s worth adapting to a little bit of a higher temp.

5. Close the Blinds

Perhaps the most obvious and simple tip on the list: Cut the sun’s direct rays and shield your space from the extra heat by closing blinds and curtains.

6. Annual Maintenance

Our final tip is regular maintenance from your professional technician. Whether we’re talking about your home or business room air conditioner, a regular tune-up for your heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system will boost performance. You save energy and money, and your system may last years longer with minimal costs for yearly maintenance fees.

At Point Bay Fuel, our NATE certified technicians offer residential and commercial central AC maintenance and we are ready for emergency service anytime, day or night. Give us a call at (732) 349-5059.