Look For Efficiency
The best way to cut air conditioning costs is to buy an efficient system. Look for a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, an industry standard for measuring air conditioner efficiency) value, ideally 13 or higher. This type of unit will cost you more than less efficient units, but you’ll end up paying a lot less in electricity over the long run. Buy the most efficient air conditioner you can afford, otherwise you’ll end up running your air conditioner less often in order to save costs. If you have an older system already installed, consider replacing it with a new, more efficient model — government rebate programs may help defer some of the replacement cost.
Maintain Your System
Keeping your air conditioner running in top condition is another way to save money. Replace or clean the air filters on a regular basis — you don’t want any residue on the coils. Get your system serviced on a regular basis to ensure optimal efficiency. Cover the compressor when cold weather arrives and you stop cooling the air — it’s best to keep all debris out of the unit if at all possible.
Get The Right Size
Make sure your system is properly sized for your house, too. Too small and the air conditioner will run all the time without truly cooling the entire house — you won’t be as comfortable as you could be and it will cost you a lot of money. Too big and the air conditioner will only run in spurts and not at peak efficiency.
Turn It Down
Finally, get yourself a programmable thermostat and have it adjust the temperature of the house according to the time and date. On weekdays, for example, if there’s no one home then have the thermostat turn off the system from 9 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon, when it turns back on to cool the house in time for the kids to arrive home from school. And see how much heat you can tolerate during the other parts of the day: even a degree or two warmer can make a significant difference in cutting those central air conditioning costs.
