Lighten Your Air Conditioner Electrical Load

Your air conditioner has a big job to do. It combats tough summer heat, and dehumidifies at the same time. The hotter the summer or the more intense the humidity, the larger the work load for your system. Of course, you want to keep the air comfort, but save money too. One way to do that is to manage down your air conditioner electrical load as much as possible.

Lighter Loads Are Easier to Carry

The more cooling you place on your air conditioner, the harder it has to work. The harder it works, the more energy it uses. The more energy it uses, well, the more money you spend. It is an obvious relationships. And it is easy to forget about in the middle of a heat wave. The key then is to make your air conditioner work as little as possible. With that in mind, how can you lighten your air conditioner electrical load? There are two main ways:

1. Cut interior cooling requirements.
2. Improve the building so less cool air escapes.

Cut Your Cooling Needs

First, shut off unneeded electrical appliances, lights, computers, televisions, and anything else you aren't using. All these devices generate heat, and that heat has to go somewhere. That somewhere is into your living space. Second, run major appliances like your washer and dryer during cooler periods of day. Again, these generate heat at the same time they increase your electrical load. Temperature drops when the Sun is down, so try to run those appliances late at night or early in the morning. Third, exhaust fans in the kitchen or the bathroom can help cut out extra heat and humidity generated by cooking or showers. More heat and humidity equals more work your air conditioner has to do.

Building Improvements

The more cool air escapes your house in the hot summer months, the harder your air conditioner works to keep your house cool. It's as simple as that. What should you do? For starters make sure your insulation is up to par. If you can add more to your attic, do so. We think of insulation in winter to retain heat, but it is just as important for summer cooling. Next, think about investing in energy efficient windows and doors. They're more expensive, but they can make a real difference long term. You want the conditioned air inside, not leaking out through a drafty window. Finally, minimize air leakage as much possible at obvious trouble spots. Use weather stripping for doors and attic access ways. Caulk around windows.

Get a Fan

Turn your thermostat up a degree or two higher than you're comfortable. But make sure you have a fan going. The fan won't cool the air, but it makes you feel cooler which is the whole point. Plus, that one or two degree difference stretched out over a summer can make a big, big difference. Your air conditioner electrical load will go way down, and you'll save a bundle.

Do You Have Tips?

Have you found a way to light your air conditioner's work load we haven't mentioned? Let us know in the comments below!