Summer is the time for ice cream cones, soaking in the sun, and lounging by the pool. But it can also be a time for high energy bills, with the hot temperatures outside causing many of us to turn the air conditioner on at full blast. Instead of paying exorbitant amounts of money just to be comfortable during those Midwest heat waves, there are a few things you can try to reduce the energy you use to cool your home.
Let’s Clear the Air on Air Conditioner Usage
Before diving into what you can change, it’s helpful to know how much energy your air conditioner is currently using. These days, over 90% of Midwestern households use air conditioning—the most popular system being central air conditioning—and the average Midwestern home uses roughly 9,500 kWh of electricity per year, with about 19% of this usage going towards air conditioning.
Now it’s time for some math! The average air conditioner for central air systems uses 3.5 kWh of energy each hour. Assuming most households turn on their air conditioner for the 90 days of summer, and with the average air conditioner running between 12–16 hours a day, most air conditioners use a total of around 3,780–5,040 kWh of electricity for air conditioning during those three months. With the cost of electricity in Indiana at around $0.14/kWh, that means that the average home ends up paying a whopping $529–$705 each summer in electric bills just to cool down their house.
That’s a lot of energy—and a lot of money. Added to this is the fact that most standard air conditioners currently use fossil fuels to run and end up producing dangerous CO2 emissions. The average American household actually creates about 0.75 tons of CO2 emissions per household each year simply by using their air conditioner. So there are actually multiple reasons to reduce your carbon footprint this summer. Your wallet and the environment will thank you!
Ways to Reduce Your Summer Energy Footprint
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to reduce the amount of energy you use this summer. From making small changes to upgrading your entire system, you’ll be on your way to a lower electric bill in no time.
Make Small Behavioral Changes Around the House
One of the easier (and cheaper) things you can do is to make some small behavioral changes. From closing the windows and pulling the blinds closed to keep out the heat during the day to bumping up your thermostat by one to two degrees (as much as you can stand)—every little bit helps reduce how much you have to run your air conditioner, conserving energy as a result.
Clean Your Filters
Dirty filters are a sneaky way that may force your cooling system to use more energy. When the filter is dirty, your air conditioner produces warmer air, meaning it’ll have to work harder and use more energy to cool the air to the temperature you want. That, plus the fact that it’s reintroducing dirt back into the air should be enough to put “check the air conditioner filter” on your list of regular to-dos (we typically recommend changing your filter every few months anyway).
Fans Are Your Friends
Ceiling fans and smaller, portable fans can do a world of good during the summer. Both help circulate cool air around the house, reducing the amount of work your air conditioner has to do. Ceiling fans should be set to rotate counterclockwise to draw warm air up and create a nice breeze. Smaller fans can be used in tandem with your air conditioner (contrary to the belief that using both at once might use more energy). Just set your thermostat a few degrees warmer than usual and the airflow of the fan will more than make up the difference!
Install a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats give you the power to program different cooling schedules throughout the day and also allow you to change your home’s temperature remotely, if you ever need to. Smart thermostats learn from your heating/cooling patterns throughout the day and automatically adjust the temperature in your home accordingly, all of which can significantly reduce your household’s energy usage. In fact, just setting a schedule for your smart thermostat can reduce your energy bill by up to 30%. Give us a call to see if a smart thermostat would be a good option for your home!
Invest in an Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner
A great way to reduce your air conditioner’s energy usage is by switching your old system to an energy-efficient one. These models use less electricity to function than older models, meaning lower energy bills and fewer CO2 emissions. Energy-efficient air conditioners also experience less strain overall, meaning they’ll have a longer lifespan than your current one. Curious which energy-efficient air conditioner to get? We offer top-quality, energy-efficient cooling equipment from America’s most trusted brands.
Get Your Air Conditioner Serviced Regularly
Keeping your air conditioner in good shape through regular maintenance will set you up for energy efficiency success. If your equipment is dirty or in rough shape, your air conditioner will need to work harder to cool your home. But if you have a nice, helpful maintenance company like Appel who checks and cleans your equipment regularly, you’ll keep your air conditioner running at peak performance all summer long.
Switch to Renewable Energy Sources
One final way you can reduce your environmental footprint this summer is by switching your energy provider from fossil fuels to a renewable resource like solar or wind power. These days, many energy companies have programs that allow you to get a portion (or sometimes all) of your electricity through renewable sources.
And for those looking to go a step further and generate their own electricity, Indiana provides incentives to homeowners who install solar panels on their roof. While this option has a higher upfront cost, the tax incentives and reduced electric bills may help save money and energy in the long run.
Stay Cool This Summer
We hope these tips help you use less energy and less money to cool your home and beat the heat this summer. And remember that whether you want to learn more about energy-efficient air conditioners, or if you need your current cooling system serviced, our team is always here for you!