Window air conditioning units are smaller, more portable, and easier to install than most other types of units. They're also the most affordable option for adding air conditioning to your home, especially if you're working on a tight budget. With summer days getting hotter due to climate change, air conditioning can help keep you cool and comfortable. However, it often comes at a high price, especially when outdoor temperatures range between 108 and 116 °F.
A smart thermostat allows you to program temperature changes according to the time of day and adjust the thermostat even when you're away from home. Some devices also include geofencing technology, which can detect when you're not home and adjust your thermostat accordingly, helping you save up to 30% more energy, Munin says. However, to make sure that the air conditioner doesn't work all night, consider setting the thermostat to readjust the temperature after everyone in the family sleeps. For nighttime temperatures, pre-cool your room before going to sleep and then set the thermostat at an additional 2 to 4 degrees for a while while you sleep, suggests Munin.
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long history of helping people make smart financial decisions. We have maintained this reputation for more than four decades, demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people the confidence to decide what steps to take next. Many utility companies routinely raise their rates in summer, and this year Americans are likely to spend about 2 percent more, on average, on their monthly electric bill, as predicted by the EIA. Good news? There are ways to lower the cost of cooling your home without ruining your budget or wiping out your savings.
Here are some ways you can save money on your air conditioner and, therefore, your electricity bill. In general, about 30 percent of a home's heating or cooling energy is lost through windows. In summer, about 76 percent of the sunlight on windows comes in the form of heat, according to the DOE. Solar screens, or mesh-like mosquito nets on windows, can intercept energy before it reaches the house.
Mosquito nets are particularly effective on windows facing east and west. Keep the programmable thermostat as high as you are comfortable with (the DOE recommends 78 degrees Fahrenheit) and, when away from home, set the temperature even higher. According to DOE estimates, you can reduce your energy bill by 10 percent if you set your thermostat between 7 and 10 degrees higher for eight hours a day. If you have a ceiling fan, you can increase the thermostat setting by about 4 degrees without compromising your comfort level.
In summer, turn on ceiling fans counterclockwise and turn them off when you leave the room. It's an initial investment, and not a glamorous investment, but keeping up with routine maintenance of your air conditioning unit can help reduce your energy consumption. Clean filters alone can reduce unit energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent, depending on the U.S. UU.
A recent summer cooling survey conducted by DuraPlas, a plastics manufacturer, revealed that only 30 percent of homeowners schedule preventive maintenance on their air conditioning units, but doing so can be cost-effective. Ensuring the cleaning of the unit and the air ducts is a proactive way to ensure optimal energy efficiency in the home during hot weather summer months. Krigger states that individual air conditioning units and ductless air conditioning units, including ductless minisplits, are much cheaper to use than central air conditioning units. To maximize the efficiency of your air conditioner, consider installing a smart thermostat that allows your cooling system does the thinking for you.
