Save money on cooling costs

With gas prices at all time highs, energy costs are on consumers’ minds, and the last thing you want to do is spend more than you need to cool your home this summer. Maximize your energy savings by replacing your old room air conditioner with a new energy efficient model. Before buying a new unit, consider two important factors -- cooling capacity and efficiency. Many people size air conditioners incorrectly, purchasing an air conditioner with more cooling capacity than needed. More is not necessarily better in this case: A unit with too much capacity may cool a room so quickly that it won’t run long enough to lower humidity. This results in a cold, clammy feeling caused by chilly, humid air. More importantly, you will be wasting energy (and money). Once you have the perfect air conditioner, you’ll want to keep it running smoothly. Here are some maintenance tips from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers: • Turn off the unit and open doors and windows during cooler periods. • Use the unit fan and portable fans to draw in cooler outside air and increase circulation. • Use a higher (warmer) thermostat setting during peak periods or when the area is unoccupied. A 75 to 80 degree setting will cut power consumption by 15 percent. • Don’t let heat build up all day and then try to cool areas quickly by turning the controls to maximum settings. • Avoid activities that generate high heat and humidity (like cooking, bathing and laundering) during high heat hours. • Draw the shade or window blinds to reduce solar and outdoor heat. • Regularly change or clean filters and check air flow for blockage or frost on evaporator coil. Use the vacuum cleaner attachment on accessible parts but be careful not to damage them. • Have the unit checked and cleaned at the start of the season. During the off season, make certain it is cleaned and properly covered and disconnected.