by Joe Brooks

Created on: July 04, 2009   Last Updated: July 05, 2009

With the price of everything being what it is, do you think it might be a good idea to try to save some money on air conditioning for the summer? Is it possible to save money on air conditioning, and if so, how? Definitely there are ways, ranging from simple home maintenance projects to major system replacements, that can help us save on our cooling in the summer, and our heating in the winter as well.

A good place to start is outside, where the heat is. You can make sure your air conditioner is clean and properly maintained. A qualified professional can be called in to service the unit, and the homeowner can do the cleanup. Clear around the air conditioner to assure a good supply of air. Don't let a buildup of trash or old lawn furniture or such block the space around your AC. That will give it a chance to do its job without interference. Still outside, you can think about shade. Shade for the windows and any glass doors will help cut down on the heat transmitted to the inside of your dwelling. It looks nice too, and might improve the value of your home.

Inside, there are even more chances for the do-it-yourself homeowner to improve the efficiency of the air conditioning system. You can seal around openings, like doors and windows, to make sure the cool stays in and the heat stays out. You can make sure you have good window coverings in place, stylish if you wish, practical at least. Keeping the hot sun outside will help you keep cool inside. Another thing, as easy as it is important, is to change your filters. Make sure you change those filters! It will help your AC get the job done, cost less doing it, and even help your unit last longer.

And then, if all that still is not enough, it might be time to think about getting a new air conditioner. The modern high-efficiency units are so much more efficient than the older type; it can really make a difference on your cooling bill. The government-backed energy star program states that if your AC is more than twelve years old, an new highly efficient unit could save thirty percent on your cooling cost. That's a lot. With summer electricity bills rising into the hundreds of dollars, thirty percent could pile up an impressive stack of savings. When you have that qualified heating and cooling professional come out to give your current system a check up, you could ask about a new system. When you multiply that thirty percent savings times the months of a long hot summer, a new AC might start sounding pretty good, and feeling even better.

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