Your air conditioning system could account for approximately 12% of your total annual home energy expenditures and up to 70% during the hotter summer months. The HVAC is the biggest energy user in your entire house. If you are like most homeowners, you are probably searching for a way to improve air conditioner efficiency and reduce your costs. Unfortunately, this may be easier said than done.

Don’t despair. There are some tips that can help you. Keep reading to learn how you can help your AC unit run more efficiently and cost you less through the course of a year.

Before diving into the specifics of how to improve AC system efficiency, it’s a good idea to learn some of the signs that your system isn’t efficient.

1. Clean around outdoor condenser unit. Your outdoor unit will work most efficiently if it is clean and clear of debris. Click here to read our article about HVAC performance, which includes a video on how to properly clean your condenser. A more thorough, in-depth cleaning should be performed by a professional. 
2. Vacuum indoor vents and keep vents unblocked. You can vacuum dust and any debris away from indoor supply vents to help maintain steady airflow from your system. Also, keep items like blinds, furniture and toys away from blocking the vents. 
3. Increase your thermostat by a few degrees. Typically, adjusting temperatures 5 – 8 degrees (down in winter, up in summer) can help save money and energy. With a programmable thermostat, you can automatically adjust the temperature for different times of the day or during times you are going to be away from home for several hours.
4. Keep lamps and other heat producing appliances away from your thermostat. Having heat producing appliances near your thermostat will tell it that the air in your home needs to be cooled more, causing the system to run longer and work harder than it may need to.
5. Keep curtains and blinds closed in the heat of the day. When direct sun hits the windows in your home, keeping your curtains or blinds closed can keep some of the heat from warming the inside of your home.
6. Clear your drain line. There is a drain by the indoor cooling coil, typically mounted above the
   furnace in the basement. If you flush one cup of chlorine bleach down your air conditioning drain and rinse it with a gallon of water, you can keep your drain clear through the summer. Keeping your
   drain line clear can save your basement from taking on water if the drain becomes blocked.
7. Avoid using your dryer and oven in the hottest hours of the day. Running your dryer will cause warm air to be drawn into your home and using your oven will add additional warm air to your home, causing your air conditioner to have to work harder.
8. Insulate any exposed ductwork. Make sure ductwork that runs through an unconditioned space is properly sealed so it doesn’t leak any of your conditioned air.