This practical list is the best and most comprehensive accumulation of energy saving tips for air conditioning your home:
1. Move/place the air conditioner (A/C) unit on north-facing walls in a shady spot.
2. Keep the thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit or 26 degrees Celsius.
3. Use ceiling fans and fans to help circulate cool air.
4. Install exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
5. Take lukewarm showers to avoid heat-holding humid air.
6. Make sure your A/C and dehumidifiers are the right size for the job.
7. Close shades, drapes, and blinds on days to help keep hot air out.
8. Use microwaves and counter top appliances instead of stoves and ovens.
9. Fire up the grill on hotter days.
10. Turn water heater down to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
11. Put in fluorescent light bulbs (they use less electricity and create much less heat).
12. Wash your dishes and laundry in the evenings; use cold water for clothes and hang up clothes outside for drying.
13. Wear thin material, light-colored clothes to keep body cooler.
14. Turn your pool filter off when not in use (especially overnight).
15. Put in a programmable thermostat.
16. Seal off leaky ducts and cracks all around house.
17. Insulate attics, garages, and cellars.
18. Seal off/don’t cool off parts of house not in use.
19. Replace air filters.
20. Routinely turn off all appliances and lights not being used. Even programmable coffeemakers and toasters can waste energy.
21. Make sure all fans spin clockwise for a wind-chilling effect.
22. Plant shade trees around the house.
23. Open windows on cool evenings and turn off the A/C.
24. Install window covers to help keep heat out.
25. Don’t try to speed up cooling house by setting A/C exceptionally low; this only wastes energy.
26. Make sure venting fans push hot air outside and not just to the attic.
27. Don’t place heat-creating appliances near thermostats.
28. Remove dust build up from vacuum registers; make sure nothing is blocking air flow to the registers.
29. Use daylight instead of artificial light when possible.
30. Do only full loads for clothes and dishes; partial loads only waste water and energy.
31. Take short showers instead of baths.
32. Put heat generating appliances (i.e., freezers) outside or in the garage to eliminate the heat they create.
33. Avoid baking, cooking, making coffee, and other heat generating activities on hot days; consider, instead, serving cold foods and drinks.
34. Avoid repeatedly and unnecessarily opening refrigerators and freezers.
35. Exercise outdoors when possible and avoid having too many people in one room; human beings create lots of heat.
36. Consider adding zoning to your existing system that allows one system to have multiple thermostats and increases the comfort in your home, reduces humidity and adds efficiency.
37. When replacing your system, try to get the most efficient system you can afford; the savings will far exceed the cost over time.
38. When replacing a system component always ask that it be compatible with the high efficiency systems being sold. For example: 410a freon, high efficiency evaporator coils, expansion valves, variable speed furnaces, high efficiency condensers.
