Before you consider upgrading your cooling equipment, the cheapest way to save money and energy from cooling is to reduce the need for mechanical air conditioning in the first place. This can be done in several ways (follow the links to learn more):

  Energy Saving tip 1: Insulate and tighten your house
Improving insulation and air sealing prevents heat from entering your house. Your highest priority should be to check insulation levels and air leaks between your living space and the attic.

Energy Saving Tip 2:  Get rid of inefficient appliances
Inefficient appliances give off a lot of heat. Especially consider replacing or discarding old or auxiliary refrigerators; replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescents; and unplug electronic equipment when not in use.

Energy Saving Tip 3:  Consider "cool" exterior finishes
When replacing your roof or painting your house, using light-colored or other "cool" roofing and siding products can reduce your peak cooling demand by 10-15%. There are a number of roofing products that can dramatically cut down on heat gain without blinding the neighbors. Start by looking for ENERGY STAR Reflective Roof Products.

Energy Saving Tip 4: Shade or improve windows
To keep high-angle summer sun out, consider horizontal trellises for your east and west-facing windows. Protect south-facing windows with deciduous trees or climbing foliage so you can take advantage of low-angle sun in the winter, when the leaves fall. New windows on those walls that get the most summer sun should have low-e glazings to block unwanted heat gain.

Energy Saving Tip 5: Cool with air movement and ventilation
Fan operation uses less energy than air conditioning and can be adequate for attaining desired comfort levels unless you live in a very humid climate.

Ceiling fans. Ceiling fans cool by creating a low-level “wind chill” effect throughout a room. As long as indoor humidity isn’t stifling, they can be quite effective. Just remember that a fan cools people — it doesn’t actually reduce room temperature — so turn it off when you leave the room. Look for ENERGY STAR rated ceiling fans.

House fans. Unless you live in a very humid climate, installing a large fan in your top-floor ceiling is a very effective way of cooling your whole house down without central AC. These fans suck air through the house, inducing a strong draft in rooms where windows are open as it pulls cooler, outdoor air inside. Check with your local home improvement retailer about available products and installation.

Improve the efficiency Of Your current Air conditioning System

The compressor units of most air conditioners have an average lifetime of only 10 to 12 years. By carefully following proper maintenance procedures, a quality model may hold up twenty years, but don’t expect the kind of lifetime you get with boilers and furnaces.  Here are several other cooling tips:

Cooling tip 1. Reduce excessive use:

•   Use air conditioning only when ventilation is inadequate.

•   Set the temperature up when leaving the house.
•   Always keep all doors and windows closed when operating an air 
  

            conditioner.

•   Don’t cool unoccupied rooms (but don’t shut off too many registers either,
  

            or it will put pressure on the system).

•   Minimize indoor humidity by running hot-water appliances in the evening
  

            and by showering with the exhaust fan on.

•   If your room air conditioner has an outside air option, use it sparingly.

Cooling tip 2: Increase your comfort range by using fans.
With a ceiling fan, you will probably be comfortable with the thermostat set at about 78°F. Each degree you are able to raise the thermostat, you will save 3–5% on air conditioning costs.

Cooling tip 3: Clean the air filters on room air conditioners monthly.
The filter in a central air conditioner should never be allowed to get dirty enough to impede air flow, as this could cause damage to the unit. The condenser should be cleaned by a professional every other year, or even yearly in dusty locations. Filters in Room AC units can simply be removed (typically located behind the air inlet grill) and rinsed to remove trapped dust. Many modern units have an indicator alerting you to when the filter needs to be cleaned. Otherwise, it is a good idea to check the filter every couple of months during the summer.

Cooling tip 4:  Hire a professional technician to inspect, clean, and tune your system every 2-3 years.

•   During service of your unit, its refrigerant may need recharging. This

            correction can improve system efficiency by 20%.

•   The technician should measure airflow over the indoor coil. Correcting
  

            airflow rates can improve efficiency another 5–10%.

Regardless of how well tuned it is, the system will not operate efficiently if the duct system is in poor condition. Proper sealing and insulation can reduce cooling energy use by 10–15%.

Need More Information on Cooling and Air Conditioning?

Saving money while cooling your home is important. Be sure and stay cool and comfortable all summer long by choosing the right cooling and air conditioning system for your home and your budget. The air conditioning experts at K. Kelly offer top of the line cooling and air conditioning systems at affordable prices from trusted brands such as Rheem, Buderus and Climatemaster and provide free air conditioning Price Quotes.

Whether you need air conditioning repairs, service  or air conditioner replacement, Call 920-469-3500 today to get your free cooling system quote be sure to put to use the above energy saving tips and cooling tips from the Green Bay air conditioning experts at K. Kelly Inc.