In the strong summer heat there is no better way to cool off than a good air conditioner. If you are on a tight budget though, a cheap air conditioner is a necessity.
There are two parts to save money on air conditioning:
Part 1: Buy a cheap air conditioner unit
(or the cheapest unit that still fits your needs)
Part 2: Cut down on electricity costs of using your air conditioner.
Use the guide below to learn methods of accomplishing both these parts.
Instructions
1. Don't use air conditioning when you can avoid it. The cheapest air conditioning is simply not using an air conditioner. Use a fan, a ceiling fan or a desert cooler. There are many alternatives that are less expensive than air conditioning.
2. Buy a smaller air conditioning unit if you are using it on a smaller area. Do not buy central air conditioning if you only need it for one or two rooms. Buy window or split air conditioning units instead. Smaller air conditioners will be cheaper to buy originally and cheaper to run.
3. Buy the least powerful air conditioner for your needs. Again, do not buy the most powerful unit available. This can cost you more money upfront and in the long run. Instead, choose the air conditioner that with just the right amount of power.
4. Don't buy a used air conditioner if it is less energy efficient. You might be tempted to buy a cheap used air conditioner. Don't do this before researching the type of air conditioner and its energy costs vs. new air conditioners. Even though a used air conditioner may be cheap originally, you might be spending a lot more money running it longterm.
5. Talk to a professional before purchasing an air conditioning unit. A professional should come to your house and examine exactly what space you need to cool. He can make recommendations on save money on air conditioning based on your specific needs.
6. Get a unit with a thermostat and a timer. (On a window unit, you can attach a timer to the outlet.) These will ensure that you save on air conditioner electricity costs.
7. Use the timer to turn off the air conditioner after a certain amount of time. Don't just forget about the air conditioner and let it run for days without stop. Only use it when you need it.
8. Set the air conditioner at a temperature a littler higher than you normally would. Turning it just a bit lower can save a lot of money on electricity over the course of the hot season.
9. Buy a ceiling fan and keep it blowing downwards. The ceiling fan will work together with the air conditioner to keep the room cooler.
10. Keep doors and windows closed to keep hot air out and cool air conditioned air in.
11. Don't overdress. Sometimes you forget you are using the air conditioner and put on extra layers of clothes that are unnecessary. If you would remove these layers you might find out you don't need the air conditioner.
12. Clean the air conditioning filter and make sure the air conditioner is working properly. If your air conditioner is not working properly, it can be working inefficiently and use more electricity than it normally would.
13. Close off valves to rooms that are not in use so as not to waste air conditioning power on these rooms.
Tags: used conditioner, cheap conditioner, conditioner working, conditioner working properly, conditioning unit, more money