Throughout the U.S., nearly two-thirds of all homes have air conditioners. Certainly, the majority of Americans want to stay cool in the summer months — but at what cost? If your energy bills are soaring as high as the temperatures outside, it’s likely that you might be making some expensive mistakes with your air conditioning installations, maintenance, or usage. Read on to find out how these five common AC mistakes will end up costing you big time.

1. Installing an incorrectly sized unit
   You might assume that bigger is better, especially when it comes to making your home feel more comfortable. But in reality, when air conditioning installations are too big or too small for a space, these units won’t cool your home efficiently. An AC unit that’s too small will obviously have issues cooling your home, but a too-big air conditioner will create inconsistent temperatures throughout your house because it’ll end up cycling on and off very frequently. It also won’t help to reduce humidity. To make sure your air conditioning installations are properly sized for a given space, you should consult an HVAC service professional.
2. Choosing a poor AC unit location
   Believe it or not, the location of your air conditioner actually has a big impact on how well it cools your home. Even though it might seem convenient to stick your air conditioner in a sunny spot outside your home, if it gets a lot of direct light, it won’t work as well. Your unit should be in a shady spot that isn’t blocked by bushes or other features. You may not love the look of an obvious AC unit, but it’ll cool your home a lot more efficiently when it has ventilation room and doesn’t get too heated. Otherwise, it’ll have to work much harder to keep your home comfortable, leaving you with higher energy bills each month.
3. Running your AC on a constant basis
   It might be easier to just keep your AC on all day and night, but it’s definitely going to increase your monthly bills. It’s usually a big waste of energy, since most people leave their homes at some point during the day for errands or work. It’s much better to turn up your thermostat when you leave your house and then turn it back down when you come back. You may also want to consider turning your unit down or off at night. A programmable thermostat can automatically make these changes for you, which can save you money without putting in any daily effort.
4. Keeping your windows open
   You might love a nice summer breeze, but keeping your windows or doors open when the AC is on will make it a lot harder for your unit to cool your home. If you want to take advantage of a cool spring wind, don’t run your air conditioning at the same time. Otherwise, your unit has to work way harder to reduce humidity and create a comfy atmosphere. And that means your bills will end up being higher than they need to be. Instead of opening up the windows, utilize your ceiling fans to create a breeze indoors. And be sure to use your kitchen exhaust fans sparingly, too!
5. Thinking a lower thermostat setting will cool faster
   There’s a pretty common misconception that if you significantly decrease or increase your thermostat, it’ll heat or cool your home more quickly. But no matter whether you change the degree setting by one or by 10, your HVAC system will work at the same rate. What will actually happen if you’re too eager for a temperature change is that you’ll end up making your home too cold or too warm, forcing you to adjust it again; since temperature adjustments will make your system work harder, your bills will be higher! Exercise a little patience and your home will feel comfortable in no time.

Whether you need HVAC maintenance or new air conditioning installations this spring, Carlson Duluth is here to help. For more information on the best services for HVAC Duluth MN has to offer, contact us today.