Summers Approaching Fast! Save Big on AC Costs

In muggy, warm weather, air conditioning is the secret to enjoying your home or office. Without this essential service, you’ll struggle to remain happy and productive during the warm-weather months. In some cases, life without air conditioning may actually lead to overheating of precious electronic toys and gadgets.

However, air conditioning costs really add up, and it can be difficult to enjoy crisp, cool air when you’re “sweating” over your astronomical monthly energy bill. To enjoy the best of both worlds, all you need to do is figure out how to save big on your air conditioning costs:

Purchase the Right Air Conditioning Unit - Nowadays, energy savings may begin before you even hook up your new air conditioning system! When you choose an energy-efficient, planet-friendly air conditioning unit, you’ll be ahead of the game before you’ve even started. Selecting an official Energy Star air conditioner is the best way to cut costs on your monthly energy bill. Check out SEER ratings while you’re shopping for an ideal appliance – the higher the rating, the bigger your savings…

Consider the Placement of Your Air Conditioning System - Don’t hook your air conditioning unit up in a hot, sunny place; instead, look for a cooler environment. Keeping hot sun off of your appliance will put less pressure on the unit’s external components; this means your machine will work better, last longer, and produce air conditioning that costs you less.

Think up some creative ways to protect your air conditioning system from heat and light. Some people use foliage to create a shady barrier that blocks the sun’s golden rays. If you’re hooking your system up indoors, make sure that it’s far away from your TV and your major appliances. Indoor appliances give off heat that may affect your air conditioning unit and jack up your energy bills.

Seal up Your Home or Office – Don’t open windows or doors when you’re running your air conditioning unit; this kind of activity is counter-productive to saving cash on your energy bills. In order to function at their best, air conditioning systems need a sealed-up environment, and this means closed windows and doors. Try to plan ahead and gather family and friends in one place before you turn on your AC; then, people won’t be traipsing around, cracking windows and swinging open doors. Every time your doors or windows are open, you are losing money!

Reading your air conditioning system’s instruction manual is so important; when you study the fine print and understand your new purchase (or existing unit) a little better, you’ll be ready to use it as economically as possible. For example, don’t overuse your air conditioner’s “fan” setting; instead, run the fan for just a few minutes, and then adjust the unit to your preferred temperature.

This expert advice will help you to get the most out of every dollar that you spend cooling your home or office. After all, it’s just common sense to pay as little as you can for the comfort and ease of a beautifully air-conditioned residence or commercial space.

McClintock HVAC is Charlotte's air conditioning expert. Check out our monthly promotions to save big on your new HVAC system or repair.