1. Putting shade over your AC unit
Photos and videos of outdoor air-conditioning units under the shade of an umbrella went viral across social media platforms as residents tried to keep their systems cool enough to run smoothly. One Texas news outlet took to Facebook to promote the hack and even reported residents saying there was a “very noticeable difference in their cooling and electric bill.”
In a TikTok that’s garnered over 8 million views, a Texas handyman debunked this theory and offered a better solution — cleaning your outdoor unit. He advised residents to “grab their hose” and spray their air-conditioning unit with water to clean out any debris.
2. Closing vents in an empty room
Closing vents in unoccupied rooms may seem like a simple solution for central air users, but it may be doing more harm than good. This hack forces your unit to work overtime and could lead to duct leakage and pressure imbalance, according to Pacific Gas and Electric Company(PGE).
3. Turning your AC all the way down
New York Mechanical & Cooling manager Anthony Arnica recommends setting the thermostat to a “normal temperature” instead of turning it all the way down. His exact recommended temperature: 75 degrees.
4. Changing AC filters
Whether your unit is in the window, wall, or roof, you should be cleaning your air filter, according to Arnica. He recommends monthly cleaning for wall and window units, and cleaning central units every three months.
A dirty filter will cause your air-conditioning unit to work harder, use more energy, and ultimately cost you more, according to the PGE report.
6. Schedule preventative maintenance
“Everybody always calls when it’s broken,” Arnica said.
He recommends scheduling maintenance semi-annually or seasonally depending on your system. In a 2020 report on “AC etiquette,” air-conditioning product expert Mark Woodruff supported preventative measures.
7. Closing doors of empty rooms
Although it’s a common belief that closing off empty rooms will save money on operating a central air-conditioning unit, First Coast News reports that the hack is ineffective and may even cost you.
source;https://www.businessinsider.com/online-air-conditioning-tips-dos-and-donts-2022-7
