Experts point to small fixes that can cut air conditioning costs
Cooling specialists told NBC Selected that thermostat changes, maintenance and sealing gaps can help reduce summer electricity bills.
By Priya Raghavan · Science Reporter
3 min read
Cooling specialists say homeowners can reduce air conditioning costs with small changes rather than shutting systems off during hot weather. NBC Selected reported the guidance as parts of the country face stretches of temperatures at or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lisa Purvins, vice president of Pro-Tech Heating and Cooling in Grand Rapids, Michigan, told NBC Selected that lower cooling bills usually come from a mix of daily habits and home-efficiency fixes. Steve Rosas, an environmental consultant and chief operations officer and president of Omega Environmental, also pointed to equipment efficiency and sealing as ways to use less energy.
Thermostat settings and maintenance
Purvins told NBC Selected that raising a thermostat or window-unit setting by 2 to 3 degrees may be enough to reduce monthly energy costs by 2% to 3%. She said many people may not feel much difference in room temperature from that small adjustment.
Programmable and smart thermostats can also help, Purvins told NBC Selected. They can be set to allow a home to warm while residents are away, then lower the temperature before they return; many models can be controlled from a phone.
Purvins said regular air conditioner maintenance, including filter replacement, is another way to keep bills down. NBC Selected reported that clogged or dirty equipment can restrict airflow and force a unit to use more energy to cool a room.
Equipment and home sealing
Rosas told NBC Selected that shoppers replacing an air conditioner should look for Energy Star-rated models. He said the government-backed rating identifies units designed to use energy more efficiently, often with controls and settings intended to reduce power use while maintaining performance.
NBC Selected highlighted several cooling units with at least a four-star average rating from shoppers at Amazon or other retailers, including window, smart window and portable models. The products cited included Energy Star-certified options from Midea and LG, as well as units from Amazon Basics and Black + Decker.
Rosas and Purvins also told NBC Selected that insulation and air sealing can affect cooling costs. If warm air enters through gaps near windows or doors, the air conditioner has to work harder, they said.
Rosas recommended caulking gaps around windows and adding weather stripping around doors, according to NBC Selected. The report said those projects can be handled as do-it-yourself jobs or assigned to a handyman.
Ways to cool rooms with less air conditioning
Purvins told NBC Selected that opening windows during cooler parts of the day, such as early morning and late evening, can bring in outside air and create cross-breezes. During hotter periods, she recommended closing heavy curtains or blinds to limit solar heating inside the home.
Rosas said ceiling fans and tower fans can improve air movement, though they do not lower the air temperature, NBC Selected reported. At night, fans placed near open windows can help draw cooler air indoors and move it through the space.
The overall advice from the experts was incremental: adjust settings, keep equipment clean, seal leaks and use airflow strategically. NBC Selected reported that those steps can reduce reliance on air conditioning while keeping homes more comfortable in summer heat.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.