Your air conditioning unit keeps your home comfortable through even the most brutal summer, but it also occupies a hefty part of your household energy usage. By some estimates, cooling your home accounts for 13% of your annual utility expenses, but this number may be even higher if your AC is poorly maintained or past its prime. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to make your air conditioner as efficient as possible.

4 Tips for Increasing the Efficiency of Your AC

1. Close the Curtains

Sunlight streaming through a window can make a room several degrees hotter and force your air conditioning unit to work harder. Closing curtains and blinds to block direct sunlight can make your entire house cooler and more comfortable almost immediately.

2. Clean the Filters

The air filter keeps dust, pollen, and other contaminants out of your AC system, ensuring air can pass easily over the condenser. If the air filter is dirty, your air conditioning unit won’t be able to cool the air as efficiently, and it will have to work harder to pull enough air into the system.

3. Have Your AC Maintained Every Year

Even if you haven’t had any problems with your air conditioning unit, have it inspected every year by a trained professional. Even relatively minor adjustments and cleaning can dramatically improve the efficiency of your AC and add several years to your unit’s lifespan.

4. Invest in a New High-Efficiency System

If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old and your energy bills keep rising, it might be time to invest in a newer and more efficient model. Today’s air conditioning units have the power to cool your entire home during a heat wave while using a fraction of the energy of yesterday’s equipment.

For over 15 years, the team of professionals at Rochester Heating & Cooling Inc in Spencerport, NY, have helped keep homes cool and comfortable. Whether you need a new air conditioning unit or just some routine maintenance, you can rely on their technicians to deliver expert service at competitive rates. Visit their website for more on their AC repair and maintenance services, get more tips and advice on Facebook, or call (585) 458-3700 to schedule a maintenance call today.