Cooling

During the summer, air conditioning can account for 50% or more of your total electric bill. Follow the tips below to increase energy efficiency and save money.

    Cooling accounts for over 50% of your electric bill in the summer.
  • Leave at least 90% of the air vents open in your home. Closing air vents in more than 10% of your total conditioned space creates a pressure imbalance. This reduces the effectiveness of your cooling system.
  • Set your air conditioning fan to "auto." This reduces the negative impact of improper air balances and turns the fan motor off when the unit is not cooling. Using "auto" rather than "on" can save you $15 to $25 each month on your energy costs.
  • Help your air conditioner by doing moisture-producing chores, such as washing clothes and dishes or mopping floors in the early morning or at night when it is cooler. If you are on SRP's Time-of-Use price plan, doing laundry during the off-peak hours will help you save money.
    • Video demonstration of programmable thermostat Video demonstration of programmable thermostat
  • Set your thermostat between 78 to 80 degrees when you are home and up to 85 degrees when you are away. For every degree you set your thermostat above 80 degrees, you can save approximately 2 to 3% on cooling costs.
  • Install a programmable thermostat. Set it to allow the temperature in your home to increase by 5-10 degrees while you're away and to return to a comfortable level an hour before you return. If you are on SRP's optional Time-of-Use price plan, set your thermostat to return to a comfortable level during off-peak hours. According to ENERGY STAR®, the average homeowner can save about $180 a year by properly setting their programmable thermostat.
  • The efficiency of heat pumps and air conditioners is indicated by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The higher the number, the more cooling you will get for your dollar. SRP recommends a minimum rating of 13 SEER. However, it's good to ask a qualified air conditioning contractor what level of efficiency is right for your home.
  • Set your ceiling fans to blow downward during the summer to circulate air rather than lowering your thermostat.
  • Clean debris and obstructions from around outdoor air conditioning components.
  • Maintain the effectiveness of your cooling system by having it serviced by an SRP Certified Contractor at least once a year.
  • The electric heat pump is one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool your home in the Phoenix area. Find out more about heat pumps.
  • A cooling system that is too large for your house will cause frequent cycling, inefficient operation and higher operating costs.
  • Replace disposable air filters or clean permanent ones at least once a month. A dirty filter forces your equipment to work harder, causing higher energy bills.
  • If you have an evaporative cooler, make sure you install the baffle plate (cookie sheet damper) in the unit before you switch over to air conditioning.
  • Do not run your evaporative cooler and air conditioner at the same time or within the same day. The evaporative cooler increases humidity in your home while the air conditioner works to remove humidity.
  • Change the pads on your evaporative cooler before each summer. Make sure the pads are evenly installed in the frames with no gaps around the edges. Don't throw the pads off the roof onto your lawn. The salt and mineral content in the pads can be tough on your grass.

Learn about summer heat gain and more ways to save on cooling costs.

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