Avoid these air conditioning mistakes if you don’t want to burn a hole in your wallet!

If you stop to think about it, we heavily rely on our air conditioning systems each scorching summer to provide some much-needed relief from the heat.

But many homeowners don’t realize that certain common air conditioning mistakes can recklessly inflate energy costs, leading to sky-high bills. Don’t worry, though.

Understanding these air conditioning mistakes is your first step towards smarter, more energy-efficient practices.

Whether ignoring regular maintenance, incorrect thermostat settings, or over-relying on old units, each mistake can affect your AC’s efficiency and, therefore, your wallet.

By educating yourself, you’ll be able to avoid these blunders, ensuring your AC functions at its best, and your air conditioning bills remain as low as possible. Here are the 12 most significant air conditioning mistakes you’ve been making without realizing it.

Cooling an empty room

The fact of the matter is that cooling an empty house is a air conditioning mistake because it wastes money and energy. So you should always boost your efficiency by closing vents in unoccupied rooms and shutting closet and cabinet doors so excess air doesn’t get in.

Buying the wrong system

Always use an air conditioner that’s the proper size for your home. An oversized unit may cycle on and off too fast, making it ineffective at maintaining uniform temperatures and removing humidity.

On the other hand, a unit that’s too small will need to run constantly, significantly shortening its lifespan. So that’s another air conditioning mistake.

Figure out your needed cooling capacity by considering each room’s layout, doing a load calculation, square footage, insulation, function, and general occupancy.

Not taking advantage of fans

If you can, combine your air conditioning with strategically placed fans around your home. A fan will help cool the air that’s circulating throughout your space, making you feel more comfortable at a greater indoor temperature.

Ensure you set ceiling fans to run counterclockwise during those hot summer months to push the air downward.

And remember to minimize using exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen while running your AC because these air conditioning mistakes remove cool air from your home.

Placing your AC unit in direct sunlight

Even though air conditioners aren’t the most appealing items in a landscape, you shouldn’t try to “hide” your unit in an unsuitable spot. That would be a huge air conditioning mistake. The location of an air conditioner has a substantial impact on its energy efficiency.

Try installing it in a shady area on your house’s north or east side because too much direct sunlight will cause the system to work harder. Also, don’t place concealing plants or shrubs too close to the unit because these will hinder ventilation and can clog the condenser coils.

Forgetting routine maintenance

Correctly maintaining your air-conditioning equipment will maximize its effective lifespan and operating efficiency.

When the cooling season starts, inspect the seals on the air conditioner and those between the unit and the house to ensure that there isn’t any cool air escaping. Then, check the circuit breakers, fuses, wires, and terminals for corrosion.

Assess the condensate drain for proper drainage, and examine fans and any other moving parts for signs of wear and tear to avoid an air conditioning mistake.

Leaving any windows open

Leaving open windows and doors would be a huge air conditioning mistake because it invites humidity inside your home and will let cooled air escape.

Your air conditioner will have to work extremely hard to compensate, which in turn wastes vast amounts of energy. So remember to keep all your windows and doors closed when you have the AC running.

Placing the vents and thermostats in the wrong places

Make sure the vent and thermostat are appropriately positioned. Placing the thermostat near heat-producing lights and appliances or in direct sunlight is an air conditioning mistake because it gives an inaccurate reading, causing your air conditioner to work overtime.

Furthermore, blocking interior vents with curtains or furniture can inhibit quality air circulation.

Not cleaning the filter

Your home’s air filter removes allergens, dust, and many other things from the air passing through the system. You should replace these lightweight cardboard-and-wire constructs routinely.

After about six months, that filter becomes so clogged with dirt that air has a difficult time getting through, and the unit can’t do its job as well anymore.

That air conditioning mistake not only increases the dust in your home but also dramatically decreases airflow for your air conditioning unit. You can boost energy use for your air conditioner by up to 15% simply by replacing a dirty filter.

So make sure you install a new one a few times a year. And don’t forget to check and change it after extra dusty activities, like a big demolition, cleaning ductwork, or refinishing a wood floor.

Not setting the thermostat

With today’s technology, you might be bored by the idea of programmable thermostats, but not having one may be a big air conditioning mistake.

Programmable thermostats will allow you to set temperatures for various times throughout the day, managing your cooling and saving you money without constant attention.

Many advanced thermostats can learn your home’s patterns, so the thermostat can shift to adapt to repeated schedules. It also lets you change the temperature effortlessly from an app.

If you don’t have a smart or programmable thermostats, now’s the time to upgrade! Save money and enjoy better cooling with a thermostat replacement. This is especially true if your current thermostat is a few decades behind.

Setting the temperature too low

This common air conditioning mistake goes back many decades to a time when many homeowners didn’t understand how air conditioning systems functioned. People often turned their thermostats way down, thinking it would cool their indoor space faster.

Well, it doesn’t, folks! Air conditioners run at full power or turn off. Therefore, they work just as hard to lower the temperature by one degree as they do to reduce it by 15 degrees.

More significant changes cause them to run longer. So the best thing to do is program your thermostat to exactly where you want it, not lower than you need.

Not cleaning the coils

Outdoor evaporator coils and condensers can become blocked with dirt, obstructing airflow and insulating the coils, reducing their ability to manage heat efficiently. To keep the coils from clogging, never place your AC components near dryer vents.

Also be sure to regularly remove grass clippings, fallen leaves, and any other outdoor debris. A be is sure to trim shrubs and other greens to allow at least two feet of space around the condenser, permitting sufficient airflow and avoiding air conditioning mistakes.

Avoiding replacement

We get it. The cost of replacing your air conditioning unit is usually high. But you should still buy a new one. Why? Don’t make the air conditioning mistake of keeping your old air conditioner long after you should.

Older versions of air conditioners that perform poorly run less efficiently and cost you more in repairs than new models.

By replacing air conditioning units that are aged 10 to 12 years or older, you could save tons of cash on monthly bills by investing in a newer, more efficient version.

Have you been making any of these air conditioning mistakes? Please feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below. But don’t leave yet!

If you enjoyed this article, we highly recommend you also read: 8 Realistic Ways to Lower Your Utility Bills