Air Conditioning
		To cool your house efficiently, your air conditioner needs to be cool itself. Keep it in the shade. If your air conditioner is already in the sun, you can build a wooden shade screen for it―just don't block the air flow.
		If you have central air conditioning, cool only the rooms you use. However, don't close all your vents. Closing too many vents actually reduces operating efficiency.
		Turn the air conditioner thermostat up when you leave the house for several days.
		Don't switch your air conditioner to a colder setting when you turn it on. Constantly moving the thermostat up and down throughout the day wastes energy and money. Placing the thermostat at extremes won't cool your home any faster, it only makes your system work harder.
		Set the thermostat as high as possible. For every degree you raise the thermostat setting on your air conditioner, your energy use will be reduced by 3-5%. The recommended energy efficient summer temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
		Your thermostat location sometimes determines how well it operates. It should never be placed on an exterior wall, where it would be affected by the hot or cold outdoor temperatures. Appliances that give off heat―like lamps―should be kept away from the thermostat to ensure that the instrument senses the temperature accurately.
		To clean your thermostat, gently blow out any dust or lint. Because it is a delicate instrument, it should be cleaned gently. If your thermostat is 10 years old or older, you might replace it with a newer model.
		You can save energy by taking care of air conditioner coils. They won't work efficiently unless they are clean, so check them out every spring. If they are dusty, dirty or clogged with old leaves, you can vacuum the coils with your household vacuum cleaner. If the attachment on the vacuum cleaner won't fit between the coils, reverse the air flow and blow the dirt away.
		Don't forget to check your filter at the beginning of the cooling season. A clogged filter will use up to 5% more energy than a clean one. Remove the filter and try to look through it at a bright light. If you cannot see light easily, clean or replace the filter.
		Permanent filters can be cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions; disposable filters should be replaced every month or two while the unit is in use.
		Consider placing a timer on your room air conditioner or using a programmable thermostat on your central air conditioner. Hardware stores sell timers and programmable thermostats that will automatically start your air conditioner before you arrive home.
		Find more information on how to save energy in your home with our Energy Savings Toolkit (login required).