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Summers in Florida place a lot of strain on home air conditioning systems, and that means they can put strain on people’s budget. It takes a great amount of electricity to run the compressor of an AC, the part that allows the system to provide cool air to a home.
There’s no way you can prevent an increase in your electric bills during the summer—you can’t simply stop using the AC! However, in our experience, most homeowners are paying more for cooling than necessary. We’ve put together several tips that can help you reduce some of those costs. When you need assistance with any of these steps, we’re ready to help.
Arrange for AC Maintenance
This is the number one way to ensure your air conditioning system works at peak energy efficiency throughout the coming summer. When you schedule air conditioning maintenance in Fort Walton Beach, FL with our Peaden Pros before the hot weather starts, we will give the AC a complete tune-up and inspection. This prevents the effects of wear and tear on the unit from causing greater power drain. Maintenance helps with other costs as well: preventing repairs and extending the AC’s service life.
Regularly Change the AC’s Filter
A dirty filter restricts airflow, forcing your air conditioning unit to work harder, which in turn consumes more energy. During peak summer months, we recommend you check your filter every month and replace it if you see that it’s clogged with dust and debris. For homes with pets or high dust levels, this might need to be done even more frequently. Keeping a clean filter in the HVAC system can improve efficiency by 5% to 15%.
Use Wise Thermostat Control
Optimizing your thermostat settings can significantly reduce your cooling costs without sacrificing comfort. The US Department of Energy suggests setting your thermostat to 78°F when you’re home, and higher when you’re away or at night when people are asleep. Using programmable or smart thermostats can make these adjustments automatically.
Rely on “Fan Only” Mode When You Can
Using the fan-only mode on your air conditioner circulates air without turning on the compressor. It uses significantly less energy and is particularly effective during cooler parts of the day or when the air inside feels stuffy but not hot. This mode is also excellent for maintaining a comfortable environment overnight or in the early morning without the cost of full AC cooling.
Known When to Replace an Aging AC
Sometimes, the cost of keeping an old air conditioner running exceeds the price of getting a new, more energy-efficient model. If your AC is more than 10–15 years old, needs frequent repairs, or your energy bills are consistently high, it might be time to consider a replacement.
This is only a small list to get you started. If you’ve got very high cooling costs, you may need to have your air conditioner repaired. Don’t hesitate to call the Peaden Pros to check out your AC and see what help it needs.