Saving on Air Conditioning: Mistakes to Avoid for Lower Bills

Summertime is around the corner and many of us are already cranking up our ACs to escape the sweltering heat waves of Bangladesh. However, with energy costs on the rise, this can lead to a higher-than-expected electric bill. 

Have you ever noticed that your energy bills are skyrocketing during summertime without any clear explanation? Well, your AC may be one of the main reasons! 

However, there are common mistakes that homeowners make that cause their AC units to work harder than necessary and ultimately drive up the energy bills. By avoiding these mistakes and practicing proper air conditioning management, you can not only lower your bills but also increase the efficiency, as well as the lifespan of your Air Conditioner. 

In this blog, we'll delve into the common mistakes and provide you with guides on how to use your AC efficiently and lower your energy bills to reap the cool rewards. So, get ready to beat the heat without breaking the bank!

7 Money-Saving Tips to Slash Your Air Conditioning Bill This Summer

01. Do Not Install the AC Unit in Direct Sunlight

While AC units may not be aesthetically pleasing, it is important to avoid haphazardly installing them just anywhere. The most suitable placement involves installing the unit outdoors in a designated area away from direct sunlight. It is also crucial to steer clear of places you keep your plants, as this may affect the ventilation, ultimately leading to blockages in the condenser coils. 

Excessive strain on the AC unit can lead to reduced efficiency and increased power consumption, resulting in higher electricity bills over time.

02. Do Not Set the Thermostat Too Low

It’s one of the most common habits to lower the temperature on your AC when you’re feeling hot and you want to get a cooling experience. However, by adjusting the temperature to a higher setting, you can save a significant amount of money on your utility bills and get the same experience without setting the temperature too low.

In fact, for every degree you raise the temperature, you can potentially reduce your AC bills by around 3 percent– this simple adjustment can add up to significant cost savings over time.

03. Do Not Install the Wrong Sized System

When you’re going to get an AC for your living space, Size Does Matter!

Before installing an AC, you must consult an expert to get an idea of which size of AC will be the most suitable for your space. The reason is that when you install an AC that is much smaller for your space, it puts immense pressure on it for hours. Ultimately, forcing the coils to work beyond their capacity, as well as an increase in energy consumption.

If you install a large AC unit in a small space, it may quickly cool your space, but it may not effectively remove the humidity. Ultimately, leading to long-term damages to the AC unit and resulting in higher AC bills.

04. Do Not Leave the Cooling for an Empty Room

It may seem logical to leave the AC on, in some scenarios, when you're not in the room so that you won’t have to go through the hassle of waiting to get the room cold when you return. However, this can result in unnecessary energy consumption and may be seen as irresponsible. 

It's important to consider energy efficiency and only use the AC when needed to help reduce your energy bills, as well as minimize environmental impacts.

05. Do Not Leave your Windows Open

The purpose of installing an AC to your space is to prevent humidity from entering the room and making the room cold. However, if doors and windows are left open, the chilled air can escape, causing the AC unit to work harder than necessary to maintain the cold temperature. 

This can result in wasted energy, higher electricity bills, and potential damage to the AC unit. Therefore, higher electricity wouldn’t be your only problem, you may have to replace the whole AC unit as well.

06. Use the Ceiling Fan Every Often

Living smart can provide a comfortable living as well. Homeowners with ACs make the mistake of leaving them on for hours to stay cool, leading to higher energy bills.

It is recommended to alternate between using the AC and ceiling fans. For instance, you can run the AC for a few hours, turn it off, and switch on the ceiling fans to maintain a chilled temperature. 

This process will ultimately help extend the cold temperature, as fans will circulate the cold air around the room while reducing the amount of time the AC needs to be on for.

07. Schedule a Regular Maintenance

Many think that their AC doesn’t require any maintenance since it hasn’t shown any problems along the years, that’s where they go wrong! A scheduled maintenance checkup for your air conditioner guarantees that it functions properly and has an extended lifespan. 

The HVAC maintenance experts will evaluate the seals between the conduit and the condenser, search for corrosion or rust on electrical connections, and look for any damage that could occur. Therefore, these routine maintenances will guide you to resolve issues with your AC for the ultimate cooling experience.  Moreover, you could avoid big bills on sudden repairs or maintenance and save unnecessary energy consumption once you know your AC is running efficiently.

Let’s Get Chilled & Wrap Up!

The points which were discussed along the blog are common mistakes that get avoided naturally. You may call it a force of habit or maybe you didn’t have any idea about it before!

We intended to provide some basic mistakes that usually happen in a home with an AC and how they influence the energy bills to rise unnaturally. However, avoiding these common mistakes or following some of the recommended approaches to maintaining the AC can make your life much more chilled than expected. Moreover, choosing the right AC for your living space can benefit more than just saving your energy bills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

01. Is it cheaper to leave the AC on all day?

If you leave your air conditioner on all day instead of turning it off, it will actually last longer. If you switch it off for a portion of the day, it runs less and saves you more energy. Turning off your air conditioner while you are away will save you money.

02. What temp is best for AC to save money?

78° Fahrenheit or 25° Celcius is the sweet spot for air conditioners to balance energy savings and comfort when people are at home and need cooling.

03. How many hours should AC run per day?

Modern air conditioners are built to run continuously. There is no danger in leaving it on all day to keep your home cool.