Save Money on Air Conditioning Bills

Want to save money on air conditioning bills? Air conditioners have become common place in most homes, offices, schools, and public buildings across the US and most of the developed world. However, two major problems with air conditioners are the huge electricity bills and pollution factor. Taking care during AC purchase and maintenance ensures that you keep the bills low and reduce emissions from the system. Well-maintained air conditioners also create healthy air circulation inside the rooms. Here are a few things about air conditioners that you probably did not know:-

• Air conditioners cool as well as remove moisture from the air.
• AC repair and installation should be done only by certified professionals. Do not hire a general handyman for the job unless you want to see your AC damaged.
• How well the AC works is measured in SEER units. Anything lower than 12 SEER means a spike in the electricity bills.
• Dark painted houses absorb more heat than houses with lighter exteriors. Painting the house in a lighter color will bring electricity bills down.
• The size of the AC stops to matter beyond a point. Therefore, buy a system that is appropriate to the size of your home.
• Using ceiling fans along with ACs reduces the workload on the cooling system.
• Electric bulbs, tubes, neons and other lights produce heat. Switch off the lights when not in use.
• Air conditioners installed in rooms should run for longer periods rather than be switched on or off too often. This maintains a proper room temperature.
• If you require fans in your room, install proper room fans. Dont use the AC fan for this purpose by switching off the cooling.
• Generate less heat in the home to avoid the extra work that the cooling system has to do. Cooking outdoors, using heat shields for ovens, and using lesser heating appliances will mean a large reduction in electricity bills.
• If there are parts of the house that are not inhabited, shut off the cooling there.
• The roof heats up more easily than the walls. Painting it a light shade and using air vents can keep it cool.
• Sunlight absorbed through the windows can heat up the rooms and cause your air conditioning bills to shoot up. Use tinted windows or heavy curtains to keep out the hot sun.
• Clean the filter regularly. This helps the system perform optimally.

Taking care of these points ensures that your air conditioner is energy efficient and lead to a reduction in your power bills.