This summer has been hot, hot, hot! And there’s still plenty of warm weather left ahead. Hopefully you have an efficient A/C unit to help keep your home feeling livable. So long as you’ve kept up with your a/c maintenance, you should have no issue staying cool all summer long.

Of course, if you’ve been running your air conditioner consistently, your A/C is going to account for more and more of your monthly energy bill. You can always try to limit how often you run your air conditioner to cut down on costs, but this isn’t a very appealing solution. Not unless you enjoy stewing in your own sweat, that is!

If you’re starting to sweat just thinking about the added costs, never fear. There are some simple air conditioner maintenance tips and other tricks that you can use to improve your air conditioner’s efficiency.

Here are 10 Tips for How to Make Your A/C More Efficient and Keep Your Energy Costs Down!

1. Cover Windows

Close your curtains and blinds to cut down on the amount of heat that’s coming into your home. The less heat making it into your house, the less work your air conditioner has to do.

It’s an especially good idea to do this in the morning before you leave for work, as this will help keep your home cooler throughout the day.

2. Clean and Open Air Vents

You may have heard that closing the vents in rooms you aren’t using will help save you money, but this will actually throw off the A/C system and make it less efficient. Keep your vents open and unencumbered and make sure they are clean and free of debris. Dirty or clogged air vents will also make your system work harder.

3. Run Ceiling Fans

Turning on your ceiling fans will help circulate air and make the room feel cooler, meaning you won’t have to run the air conditioner as much. Every little bit helps!

4. Fix Leaks

Seal any leaks or cracks around your windows and doors to help keep warm air out of your home. You should also inspect your duct work for holes or signs of leaks to ensure your system is able to perform at its best. If you find any problems, schedule A/C system repairs as soon as possible.

5. Replace the Filters

Air filters aren’t designed to last forever. Dust, pollen and even mold can build up on your air filter and block airflow. Replace them regularly to keep your air conditioner performing at tip top efficiency.

6. Switch to Energy Efficient Lights and Appliances

If your appliances aren’t energy efficient, they are likely giving off a lot of heat. Heat that your air conditioner needs to deal with. Even light bulbs can give off a surprising amount of heat.

Switch to energy efficient light bulbs and appliances to help cut down on the amount of work your A/C needs to do. This will have the added benefit of saving you extra money on your utility bills.

7. Turn Off Unnecessary Electronics

Computers and TV’s can give off heat as well. If you aren’t using them, power down your electronics to save on energy. Also remember to turn off lights when you leave a room.

8. Avoid Adjusting the Thermostat

Instead of constantly fiddling with the thermostat, set your air conditioner to your ideal temperature and let it be. Constantly turning it up and down will negatively impact your air conditioner’s efficiency.

9. Insulate Your Attic

If you have an unfinished attic, make sure that it is well insulated. If it isn’t insulated, your attic will heat up when the outdoor temperature rises. This heat can seep into the rest of your house and cause more work for your air conditioner.

10. Schedule A/C Maintenance

Annual maintenance will keep your A/C unit clean and working properly. A professional can also spot and fix potential issues before they become big, costly problems.

Why is A/C Maintenance Important?

While your A/C unit is no doubt a lifesaver, its going to need to work harder and harder to cool down your home as we get further into the sweltering summer months. Consequently, there will be more wear and tear on your unit.

This is where regular A/C maintenance comes in. Cleaning out the dirt and debris from your air conditioner and replacing busted parts will go a long way towards adding to your a/c unit’s life span and improving its efficiency.

If your energy bills have been creeping up or you’ve noticed your air conditioner isn’t working as well as it did before, it’s time to schedule some air conditioner maintenance. Thankfully, the A/C experts at Academy Mechanical are here to help.

Book an appointment for annual A/C maintenance and ensure your air conditioner is in peak condition before your family melts from the summer heat!