Cut Air Conditioning Costs

How Air Conditioning Uses Up Energy

We all want to stay cool during the summer time. But unfortunately, the cost of air conditioning is ridiculous. How can the average citizen still keep paying hundreds of dollars per month just to support their cooling needs? It does not seem like a smart idea to keep paying that much money just for cool air. It is actually possible not to. Did you know that your air conditioner uses up more energy than any other appliance in your home? To be exact, your air conditioner burns 3500 watt-hours per watt hour of use. That is horrible compared to your television which only burns 75 watt-hours per hour of use. A regular window unit doesn't even burn that much, just 900 watts. In comparison to your air conditioner, that is not that bad.

Why the Cost of Air Conditioning is so Costly

As stated earlier, air conditioning burns 3500 watt-hours per hour. This can definitely raise the price on the power bill in only a matter of hours. The average power bill for a house of three occupants usually costs anywhere from 180 to 400 dollars a month. The majority (over half) of your bill comes from your air conditioning system. The older the system, the more energy it uses.

Types of Air Conditioners

Window air conditioners - These air conditioners fit conveniently inside of a medium size window. They typically do not use as much energy as central air conditioning units do. They usually only burn 900 watt-hours per hour.

Central air conditioning system - This is the one that costs so much money. Try to avoid purchasing this kind of cooling system as much as possible. There are other great alternatives to use that work just as effectively.

Ceiling fans - Believe it or not, ceiling fans can be a great alternative to more expensive cooling systems because they work, and are also very affordable.

Attic fans - A fan that is mounts your ceiling. It works by bringing fresh air through open doors or windows in and pushing the air out through your attic. It is also great for getting the hot air out of the attic.

Geothermal system - This is basically loops of piping installed under the ground that circulate water. It is similar to the central air conditioning unit, except that the heat is taken out of the home and put inside of the earth. This system is much more affordable as well.

How You Can Cut Costs

1. Paint your walls a lighter color. Dark colors attract heat, while lighter colors such as olive green, beige, and white tend to attract cooler air.

2. Install a metal roof or shingles. This works great because metal reflects heat away from the home.

3. Plant trees around your home. The shade will keep the sun from beaming directly down onto your house and keep the heat away.

4. Install blinds and curtains throughout your house. This will help to keep heat from coming in through the windows.

5. Re-insulate your house. This may take some time and money, but you will be saving thousands in the long run if you put more insulation in your home to keep the heat from getting in.

What You Can Do Now

1. Place caulk around holes and cracks that are in your home. This will keep cooler air inside of your home, and warmer air out. Not to mention that your air conditioner will not need to run as much to keep your house cool. This in turn will save you money.

2. Install reflective film on windows. This will help to block 40-60% of the heat away from your home.

3. Install a couple of ceiling fans. Do not worry, they do not cost much at all. They will usually run you at about $25 dollars per fan. Ceiling fans are a wonderful option because they can keep the air circulating throughout your home without having to leave the air conditioning on, and they help to lower the temperature from up to 10 degrees.

4. Replace old air conditioner filters. Old filters tend to cause your cooling system to work harder, therefore burning more energy and costing you more out of pocket.

5. Place solar screens on your windows. They will help to block 60-70% of the heat that travels through windows. You can find solar screens at most home improvement stores.

It is a known fact that cooling systems are very costly, but it does not have to be that way. If you really want to save some cash during this bad economic season, then you will be sure to take all of the proper precautions before summer is officially here. You will not regret taking preventative measures when you are saving thousands per year.