How to Reduce Energy Consumption when Using an AC Device Home Improvement by Lillian Connors - June 22, 2016 How to Reduce Energy Consumption when Using an AC Device In the previous months a majority of people might have observed a multitude of temperature fluctuations. These harsh weather conditions usually do not remain outside our house walls, so there is a strong need for regulating the temperature inside the house. Air conditioning is the most effective way of doing that, but it can really drain our budget, when the costs pile up. In fact an hour of using AC device for heating/cooling purposes in an average room can cost between $0.11 and $0.75. Besides the costs, there is the question of lowering your energy consumption for the sake of the planet. So, do not wait any longer, and try to reduce the amount of energy your air condition uses. Turn the AC Down at Nights During your sleeping hours you do not need the same amount of cool air. Try gradually implementing the higher temperature, by going a couple of degrees up a couple of hours before you go to bed, and then turn it off completely. Also, if you are using your air conditioner for heating during colder days, layer your pajamas, put some socks on and turn it off. Image- pixabay.com Use Portable Units Cooling or heating the entire house while you are spending your time only in one room is not very cost effective. Portable air conditioners require a lot of less energy than central air conditioning systems for cooling the same space, and they are very convenient for moving from one room to another. Regular Maintenance Do not think it is only air that goes through your air conditioner filters. There is also dust, bacteria and dirt. Dirty and clogged filter reduce the device’s efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance is often enough, but from time to time, you should replace the filters all together. In fact, replacing the clogged filter can lower your energy consumption up to 15 percent. You should also clean the evaporator coil every year, advise at Home Comfort Air. The Matter of Insulation Proper insulation will prevent the heat/cool from going outside your house or going inside it. Be sure to check the areas where the air conditioner ducts are going through for insulation issues, especially the attic. If not, insulating at this point may seem expensive and complicated, but it can save you a lot of money eventually. Rearrange the Furniture This might sound silly, but the furniture arrangement can actually disrupt the air flow. If you place it wrongly, you may end up with a cooled back of the couch instead of a chill room. To prevent that, arrange the furniture in a way that no large piece is blocking the air. Reaching the Optimal Performance Finding the ideal temperature for your air conditioner is good not only for reducing energy consumption, but also for your health. Your organism will have some stability throughout the day, without sudden temperature changes. The optimal temperature would be somewhere around 78 °F(25°C). Turn off the Lights If the light bulbs in your household are incandescent, then you should consider turning them off, whenever you can, because besides brightening up the space, they are also heating it. Also, try to keep your windows opened early in the morning and in the evening, to get as much as cool air for free as possible. Close them when the sun is at its highest point. Use Fans Fans consume less energy than air conditioners. Although they are not nearly as efficient as ACs when used separately, they can keep the air cooled by the air conditioner circulating throughout the house. Install a Smart Thermostat Smart thermostats allow you to control the temperature via an app, and you can easily turn it off remotely if you have forgotten to do that before leaving the house. Some of them can even provide you with zoned cooling/heating, so you can set a different temperature for each room, based on the occupancy and other factors. Nowadays when air conditioners are a necessity rather than wasting money, and when most of the households have one, you should give your contribution to a greener planet, by reducing your energy consumption. If you reduce your bills along the way, even better.