You might not think twice about revving up the air conditioning when it’s hot outside—until you see your power bill. Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of the everyday U.S. home’s annual energy expenses and up to 70% of your utility costs during the summer. If you’re sick of overpaying for air conditioning, follow these 13 tips to improve AC efficiency and save money on your monthly expenses.

Prioritize routine service: Dirt and debris accumulate in your air conditioner over time, lowering efficiency. Schedule annual maintenance to have a professional clean your unit’s coils, exchange the filter, tighten electrical connections, lubricate moving pieces and more. A once-per-year inspection also allows your technician to discover and fix any potential issues before they become severe problems.
Keep the outdoor unit free of blockages: Loose trash and nearby vegetation growing around your air conditioner can minimize airflow and make the system work harder. Examine the unit throughout the summer, trimming back vegetation and sweeping up debris as needed to keep your cooling system functioning effectively.
Set up a programmable thermostat: A programmable thermostat allows you to set automatic temperatures based on your lifestyle. In the summer months, program a higher temperature when you’re away from your house or apartment and have it resume a comfortable temperature before you come back. This reduces energy consumption and saves money without sacrificing comfort.
Stay away from overriding programmed settings: While you can always override the temperature on your programmable thermostat, try turning on a fan or shedding a layer of clothes before you change the setting. When you want to modify the temperature, do so by just a degree or two. Cranking down the temperature will never cool your home any quicker and only serves to waste electricity.
Use the auto fan setting: While fan-only mode circulates air to stop rooms from becoming stuffy, HVAC professionals recommend using this setting sparingly. “Auto fan” is the more efficient setting because the blower only runs when the rest of the AC does, preventing needless energy waste.
Prevent solar heat gain: Closing blinds and curtains, putting in outside awnings and applying window film helps block the sun’s heat to keep your home cooler. These strategies are most useful on south- and west-facing windows where the sun shines directly inside.
Install the outdoor part of your system in the shade: Direct sunlight can force your system to work harder and decreases efficiency. So if you can, position the condensing unit so it’s shaded in the afternoon.
Keep your air vents open: It’s a common misconception that closing the vents in rarely used rooms helps you to save energy. Unfortunately, this throws off the supply and return air equilibrium, making your AC not as efficient. Generally speaking, keep at least 80% of your registers open all the time and make sure no vents are obstructed by rugs, curtains or furniture.
Use ceiling fans in conjunction with your air conditioner: Ceiling fans distribute air throughout the room, producing a wind chill effect that makes you feel about 4 degrees cooler. This might allow you to increase the temperature a few degrees without feeling uncomfortable, lowering your dependence on the air conditioner and bringing down your bills.
Use a dehumidifier: High humidity creates a “cool but clammy” feeling, which is an uncomfortable sensation that may compel you to repeatedly lower the temperature. In reality, you need less humidity, rather than cooler air. Running a whole-house dehumidifier eliminates unwanted moisture, making your home feel more comfortable for a fraction of the cost of air conditioning.
Use natural ventilation carefully: When it’s hot and humid outside, keep your windows and doors closed to prevent cool air from leaking out. If you live in an area with cool summer evenings, open the windows and doors overnight to cool off the house naturally, reducing the burden on your air conditioner.
Seal air leaks: Leaky windows and doors let hot summer air inside of the house even when closed, making it more difficult and more expensive to keep things cool. Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping to keep conditioned air inside of your home where it should be.
Seal duct leaks: A typical home loses 20% or more of the conditioned air moving through it to leaks, holes and badly connected ducts. Call a professional to seal your ductwork and halt this energy waste.Â

If you still have comfort problems or high energy costs after employing these tips, turn to Service Experts Total home Comfort for help. We can diagnose and repair air conditioning problems, provide preventative maintenance, or replace your outdated, poorly performing system with a brand-new, high-efficiency model. For your confidence, we back everything we do with a Service Experts G uarantee! Reach out to a Service Experts office near you today to learn more or request air conditioning services in the U.S.