8 Simple DIY Ways To Save Money On Air Conditioning And Get Better Air Quality

The cost to run your HVAC unit can make up more than 50% of your home’s total energy bills, according to a recent nationwide report done by the Department of energy. Running the air conditioning unit is typically the biggest energy bill for the average homeowner. With the summer months upon us, it can be frustrating to hear the constant sound of the air conditioner running your home and just know that it’s costing you money.

These eight tips listed below are simple, free ways to help your home’s air conditioner run more efficiently. This will save you money and help keep your energy bills down during the summer months. Saving money on pricey electric bills can give you excess funds to spend on those fun summer activities that are much more enjoyable than sitting alone at home in the air conditioning!

Clean Debris and Overgrown Grass From Around the Outdoor Unit

The state of your outdoor HCAV unit can greatly affect the quality of the air conditioning services inside your home. If your air conditioner seems sluggish, you may want to do a deep clean of any debris from the outdoor unit before you call for professional AC repair. These outdoor units tend to be clogged by things like grass trimmings, fallen leaves, dust from the air, and general lawn-related debris. You will want to clean out your HVAC unit carefully with a damp rag and a small, soft brush.

Check Air Filters and Vacuum Indoor Vents

Make sure that all your indoor vents are completely unblocked in order to get the best AC service. Take a vacuum with a hose attachment and vacuum away any dirt, dust and debris. Take a slightly damp rag and clean the vent’s surface and around the vent’s slats. Try to utilize the rage to clean in as far as you can. If you want to do a really deep clean or thing you have a partially clogged vent, simply use a screwdriver to remove the vent hood and extend your arm inside the vent to clean it. You want to make sure your HVAC system is off when you do this for safety reasons. Make sure all vents are wide open in the rooms you wish to keep cool. Similarly, if you have rooms that are rarely used during the summer months, you can close the vents partway or all the way to save on air conditioning costs.

Adjust Your Thermostat Up or Down a Few Degrees at a Time

Many people come home after a long day and are tempted to crank up the air conditioning services in their home to cool down immediately. You can save a great deal of electricity and money on your bill by simply moving the thermostat up or down a few degrees at a time. Ideally, you should aim for about five degrees cooler or warmer depending on the outside temperature and how cool you like it when you sleep at night.

Keep Lamps and Electric Devices That Product Heat Away From Air Vents

Having a bright lamp or other high-energy electric devices that produce heat right by a vent can greatly disintegrate the level of cool AC service your unit can expend in a particular room. This could be a television or other electronic device. Simply move lights or other warm electronic to a different place in the room to allow your vent to produce the best-quality AC.

Cool the Air Naturally by Closing Curtains

Direct sunlight can be appealing for a cheery mood inside your home, yet it naturally increases the temperature inside your house. Leaving your blinds and curtains open while you are out for the day at work or running errands will only leave you coming home to a warm house, causing you to feel like you need to crank up the air conditioner. Close curtains and blinds to make the most of the cool air already inside the home during the hottest hours of the day. You’ll be surprised what a big difference this can make on naturally cooling your home.

Thoroughly Flush Your AC’s Drain Line

Your air conditioner is assigned a specific drain that is usually in the home’s basement somewhere around the same place the furnace is located. Flushing out this drain line can keep your HVAC unit from getting clogged and slowing down the flow of your air conditioning services. You can easily clean it out by simply pouring one cup of common household bleach down this drain and follow that by rinsing the drain line out with a full gallon of water. This should clean the line. However, you want to ensure that you have the correct drain line before you flush it out.

Keep Your Dryer and Oven Off During Prime Summer Hours

The summer brings exceptionally warm hours during the peak of the day. You can save on air condition costs and maximize the cool air by avoiding using these two appliances during those hot hours. Running the dryer pulls heated air inside your house, making it better to run it at night or in the morning before work. Your oven naturally heats the air from your kitchen into other rooms. Avoid using it unless it’s necessary. If you have to use either appliance, set a timer so you can be efficient about using them only the necessary amount of time. Summer is a great time to grill out!

Check That Your Home Is Properly Insulated

You can waste a great deal of energy and money if your house’s ductwork isn’t properly sealed. The ductwork that runs through spaces like the attic can often start to leak over time, essentially meaning you’re paying to blow cold air in places that go unused. You can DIY the ducts by running your hand over the ductwork to feel for leaks or checking them visually. These can be sealed with a duct-sealing tape that can be bought at any home store. You also should schedule a professional AC repair maintenance visit early in the summer to check for leaks.