In 2018, the average American spent about $426 on their electric bills during the summer months of June through August. That’s $142/month and up almost 3% from 2017. That’s a lot of money to be spending on electricity, and a big reason for this is due to the increased use of air conditioning during the summer.
Preparing your AC unit for the summer can help to decrease dramatic changes in your bill. But if you’ve never done this before, where do you start?
That’s where we come in. Keep reading to find out the top 5 ways you can prepare your AC unit for summer and help keep your electric bill manageable!
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Preparing Your AC Unit for Summer
It’s no surprise that people tend to run their air conditioner more during the hot summer months. But that doesn’t mean your electric bill has to skyrocket.
Whether you’ve had your AC for years, or just got your first AC installation ever, knowing how to care for it is crucial. Here are 5 ways you can prepare your AC unit for summer.
1. Change Your AC Filter
This is one of the easiest ways you can keep your AC unit running smoothly during the summer. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests changing your AC filter every 1-2 months. This makes it so your AC unit doesn’t have to work double time to keep your home cool, and can lower your energy consumption by 5% to 15%.
2. Clean the Condensor Coils
An AC unit is generally located outside, and if it is not covered during the non-summer months, it can sometimes collect debris such as leaves and dirt. This debris can cause clogs in your unit and make it run much less efficiently. At the beginning of the summer season, make sure to clean out the coils.
3. Clean Condensation Lines
There are pipes designed to carry away the condensation from your AC unit. Sometimes these pipes can get clogged. If the clogs are not taken care of quickly, the condensation can back up into the AC unit itself and cause a huge mess with an even bigger repair bill.
4. Get a Programmable Thermostat
This may have some upfront cost to it, but could save you hundreds of dollars over the years to come. Being able to program when your AC is running allows you to keep it off when you aren’t using it, which in turn saves you money. You could even get credits or additional savings from your energy service provider by having one.
5. Test the AC Unit
After you have done all of the cleaning and maintenance, it’s time to test the unit. Start by turning off your thermostat and turning on power to the disconnect box and main panel. Finally, switch the thermostat to cool and if it turns on, you’re good to go!
Cool for The Summer
As you can see, preparing your AC unit for summer is a breeze if you know what to do. So get that unit cleaned up and make sure you’re cool as a cucumber while keeping your wallet full.
Your AC unit isn’t the only thing that needs regular maintenance though. For more tips and tricks to transform your home, head to our website now!
