Typically in very hot regions, your air conditioning can run about 60 – 70% of your electricity bill.
There are ways to reduce that by turning it off or raising the temperature when you are not there.
The air conditioner is the biggest culprit when it comes to your costs.

Here are a few ways you can reduce those costs and still be comfortable during the hot summer months:

• Central air by far costs the most, with a medium size window unit reducing the cost significantly. Raising the temperature a bit will help and closing off some rooms will help even more.
• Ceiling fans can cost very little to run and can increase the comfort level of a room significantly, particularly in bedrooms when you need it most. It is estimated that central air conditioning costs 70 times more than running a ceiling fan!
• Cleaning your air filters on the air conditioning unit will improve the operability of the unit and lower the amount of electricity used – especially if the filter is really dirty. It can slow the air down significantly.
• Ensure that the air conditioning installation you get is the right size for your home. Don’t buy a system that is bigger than what you need. Ensure it is energy efficient too.
• Condensers should be kept in the shade rather than direct sunlight as that will reduce electricity use by 10%. Ensure that there is no debris or tall grass around the condenser so the air flows freely. It should be cleaned each year.
• Alternatives to central air are window units or split systems, geothermal systems that are energy efficient too.

Originally posted 2016-05-21 06:48:44.