6 Effective Ways to Use Your Air Conditioner More Economically

Photo: Youtube

Here are some helpful ways for you to use the air conditioner more economically:

1. Plant shade trees around the house

If you plant leafy trees around the outside of your home to help block the sun, it will stay cooler.

"The bulk of heat that accumulates inside a house comes directly from the sun shining onto the roof or through windows and heating the house directly," says John Krigger, founder and president of Saturn Resource Management in Helena, Montana. Energy efficiency specialist Krigger also writes books, conducts seminars, and trains others.

Krigger suggests planting tall trees on the south side of the property and broad trees on the east and west. He says you get a lot of sun in the morning and afternoon if you have a large window facing east or west, as opposed to the south side, where solar rays are high in the sky.

It will be worth it to spend the extra cash on a tall tree if you plant it in the right spot, suggests Krigger.

Shade trees help to cool your house. Photo: Energy-Info

2.Turn off at night, and save while you sleep

Turn off the air conditioner at night. Photo: Quarzt

This advice about saving money is clear as day! Keep your air conditioning on during the day and turn it off at night. The reasoning is simple. First of all, by turning off the air conditioning and opening a window, you can take advantage of the cooler nighttime air. Perhaps even a slight breeze will help to cool things down.

If a pleasant breeze does occur, open your windows and doors to allow it inside your house.

Secondly, for you to be able to sleep comfortably, your body just doesn't need the same temperature that it does during the day. so that you can turn off your air conditioner and enjoy some nocturnal energy savings and peaceful sleep.

3. Cover your windows

Photo: The Blinds

According to DOE estimates, roughly 76% of sunlight that hits windows during hot weather is converted to heat. Solar screens or mesh-style window screens can block the energy before it enters the house. Window screens are particularly helpful for windows facing east and west, according to Bank Rate.

Krigger says that installing them outside is the best option. That would prevent solar energy from entering the glass entirely. It's better than anything you could accomplish internally.

Window films are an additional cost-saving measure. These metalized sheets reflect heat before it enters the glass. If you use something silver, white, or very reflective, Krigger says it won't go through the glass.

While solar screens can be used to block insects and the sun even when windows are open, window films must be applied with the windows closed.

4. Keeping it clean to keep costs down

Photo: Passion Air

Here's another fantastic way to cut your summertime air conditioning costs. According to Daikin, a well-known air conditioner brand, make sure your air conditioner receives routine maintenance and that the filter is either cleaned or replaced to maintain maximum efficiency. Any air conditioner that has a dirty filter has to work harder, which increases electricity consumption and energy costs!

5. Get “smart” about your thermostat

Photo: Tulsa World

To save as much as 10% on energy costs, the DOE suggests leaving the thermostat seven to ten degrees higher for eight hours during the day if no one is home.

The DOE suggests that you leave the thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you are at home, as opposed to lowering it after a long day away. This doesn't quicken your home's cooling process and could result in overcooling and increased energy bills at the end of the month.

Another piece of advice: Unless it's a very humid day, the DOE suggests turning the AC fan speed up to high. When the weather is humid, turn the fan down. Why? Your home's comfort level will rise more slowly as more moisture is extracted from the air.

If you haven't already, it might be time to upgrade to a programmable or "smart" thermostat, which allows you to set the temperature in your home to change at certain times of the day. You can maintain a comfortable temperature in your home with the assistance of a smart thermostat, many of which can be operated from a distance.

The thermostat's location is another important consideration. According to DOE recommendations, it should be installed on an interior wall away from windows, doors, skylights, and drafts in order to function properly.

Furthermore, do not arrange furniture or curtains in a way that blocks the air conditioning vents.

6. Install ceiling fans

Photo: The Home Depot

If you can, turn on the ceiling fans on the upper level of your home and open the windows on the lower level. If you live in a one-story home or apartment, the DOE recommends closing windows close to the fan and opening windows in rooms far from the fan, preferably on the windward side of your building. Krigger contends that keeping the air flowing through the house is essential.

Moving air also helps to remove perspiration from the skin, according to author and energy consultant Paul Scheckel of Parsec Energy, who is based in Vermont. "Our bodies remove heat through evaporational cooling, which is an incredibly effective process," he says. "Slight assistance can enhance the cooling effect."

In Conclusion

When it comes to remaining cool and cutting costs, there are lots of creative ways to get creative. But sometimes turning up the air conditioning is your best option when the summer heat really gets going. Maintaining your composure both financially and physically can be achieved by learning how to use an air conditioner efficiently.

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