The hot summer months are fast approaching and while it is important to stay cool this time of year, it’s just as important to keep your home energy efficient.

Whether you use room air conditioner units or central air units, they are both crucial to keeping your home cool and comfortable during these hot summer days. Even though these units give us great relief from the heat, they account for 5% of all the energy used in the U.S.¹ You can help to reduce this number by keeping your air conditioner running efficiently which can reduce its energy consumption from 20% to 50%.¹

There are many ways in which you can make sure that your air conditioning unit is running efficiently. Regular cleaning and replacement of the filters is a good place to start. Also, if you have an outdoor central air unit, it is important to keep the area around it clear as well as to keep sticks and leaves from falling inside of the grates. Another tip is to use the auto setting that most air conditioning units have, this will ensure that the unit isn’t constantly running and wasting energy. You should also try to keep your air conditioner at the ideal temperature which is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the ideal temperature to keep your air conditioner running efficiently. Keeping your air conditioner at 78 degrees or even a little warmer can save you a lot of money on your utility bill.

Now if you think that 78 degrees is a little too warm for your home during the summer, there are some ways to keep it cool. Turning a fan on, whether it be a ceiling fan or a standing fan, really helps to keep the air moving around. Also, if the temperature in your home is cooler than the temperature outside during the day, it is important to keep the windows and doors shut at all times. You should also keep your shades pulled to block any sunlight from coming into your home and heating it up. Pulling your shades and using a fan can often be plenty effective so sometimes it is unnecessary to keep your air conditioner on during the day, or any time that you are not home.

While it is key to you stay comfortable in your home this summer, it is also important to save energy too. A great way to do this is to turn off and unplug any appliances when they are not in use. If you use any power strips, maybe for your computer and printer or around your TV and entertainment area, it is a good idea to turn off the whole power strip when not in use to maximize your energy efficiency.

Using these tips not only will greatly help to cool down your home this summer and help to save you some money, but is a great way to help reduce the amount of energy your home uses.

¹ http://energy.gov/energysaver/air-conditioning

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