How To Prevent High Energy Bills From Your Air Conditioner
One of the best feelings in the summer is walking from the heat and humidity into a cool, air conditioned home. Conversely, one of the more frustrating feelings is seeing the energy bill once the summer heat has made you run the air conditioner for a month. It’s inevitable that the energy bills go up when you start to run your AC, but that doesn’t mean that they have to skyrocket.
In this article, we’ll go over some tips to keep the energy bills from rising too high this summer. Some of these tasks you can take care of on your own, while others you may want to call in a professional for. If you do want to speak to a pro about your air conditioning, give us a call at (610) 446-7877, or contact us online. We have been specializing in air conditioner service in Haverford, PA and the surrounding towns since 1953. Whether you are in need of AC repair or replacement, we can help you out!
Smart Ways To Save Energy On Air Conditioning
1. Change Your Air Filter Regularly
A clogged or dirty air filter can seriously reduce your AC’s efficiency. Over time, your air filter can become clogged and caked up with dirt and debris. If the airflow is restricted, your system has to work harder and run longer to cool your home—leading to higher electricity bills and unnecessary wear on your AC system.
Pro tip: Change your HVAC filter every 1 to 3 months. Homes with pets or allergy sufferers should check filters more frequently. This is going to lower your utility bills, and also improve the air quality in your home.
2. Schedule Seasonal AC Maintenance
This is probably the best and most important thing you can do for your air conditioner. Regular air conditioner maintenance is one of the most effective ways to keep your system energy-efficient. A professional tune-up includes:
- Cleaning coils and components
- Checking refrigerant levels
- Inspecting ductwork
- Tightening electrical connections
- Inspecting and testing any moving parts (fans and blower motor)
Annual HVAC maintenance helps your air conditioner perform at its peak efficiency and extends the lifespan of your system. We recommend you have your AC serviced before the summer, ensuring the system is ready for the heat.
3. Close Your Blinds During The Day
Direct sunlight can heat your home quickly, forcing your air conditioner to work harder. By keeping your blinds or curtains closed—especially on the windows that face the sun directly—you can significantly reduce indoor temperatures and energy usage. This is especially true for rooms that you aren’t using during the day, like bedrooms or spare rooms.
You may want to consider installing blackout curtains or thermal shades for even better insulation. Window coverings are an easy, affordable way to improve your home’s energy efficiency during the summer months.
4. Seal Drafts and Air Leaks
Cool air can escape through small gaps in doors, windows, and ductwork. When that happens, your AC system has to run longer or harder to keep your home comfortable, in turn driving up your energy bills.
You can inspect your home for drafts or leaks and seal them using caulk or weatherstripping. You may also want to hire a professional to perform an energy assessment on your home, and give you recommendations. Pay special attention to:
- Window frames
- Door thresholds
- Attic hatches
- Baseboards
- Around recessed lighting
If you want to make a larger investment in efficiency and home comfort, you may want to have a professional improve your insulation. This is going to prevent outside air from seeping into your home, and cool air from escaping. It may be a larger cost than some simple sealing of windows and doors, but it could result in a much more comfortable home, and lower energy bills year round.
5. Avoid Using Heat-Producing Appliances During Peak Hours
Appliances like ovens, stoves, dryers, and dishwashers can add extra heat to your home—especially during the hottest hours of the day. This puts a bigger strain on your air conditioner to keep the space cooler, while other factors are trying to make it warmer!
Instead, consider these energy-saving alternatives:
- Grill outdoors instead of using the oven
- Run the dishwasher and dryer at night
- Use a microwave or air fryer for cooking
- Let dishes air dry instead of using the heated dry cycle.
Small things like these can make the space more comfortable, and also knock a few bucks off the cooling bill.
6. Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner
If your AC unit is more than 10–15 years old, it could be costing you more to run than necessary. Older systems are less efficient, require more upkeep, and often use outdated refrigerants that are being phased out.
Today’s high-efficiency air conditioners feature improved technology and higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings, which means they cool your home using less energy. Replacing your old system with a newer model can:
- Lower your monthly energy bills
- Improve your home’s cooling
- Reduce the likelihood of repairs
- Reset the lifespan of your HVAC system (15-20 years)
Newer energy efficient HVAC systems also typically qualify for rebates or tax credits. This is a little incentive to reduce our environmental impact, and consume less energy. If you’re in the Haverford, PA area and considering an AC replacement, we can help you choose the best system for your home and budget.
Why Energy Efficiency Matters
Reducing your AC’s energy usage doesn’t just save money—it also helps the environment. Air conditioning accounts for a significant portion of household electricity use in the summer. By making a few simple changes and upgrading when necessary, you can reduce your carbon footprint while reducing your energy bills, all the while keeping your home cool and comfortable.
When you are deciding on purchasing a new AC system, don’t focus so much on the initial cost as much as what it will cost to run over the lifespan of the system. The more efficient your AC is, the less it will cost to run over the next 15-20 years.
Stay Cool Without Spending Too Much
Keeping your home cool during the summer doesn’t have to mean outrageous energy bills, or waiting until the hottest days to finally turn on your AC. With these practical tips—changing your air filter, sealing leaks, scheduling regular AC maintenance, and more—you can stay comfortable and reduce your cooling costs at the same time.
If your current system isn’t keeping up or you’re concerned about your energy usage, contact the trusted HVAC experts at John Cipollone Inc. We’ve been providing air conditioning service in Haverford, PA and surrounding areas for over 70 years.
📞 Call us at (610) 446-7877 or contact us online to schedule a service or get a free estimate on AC installation. Our experienced technicians are here to help you make smart, energy-saving choices for your home!
