Beat the Heat: 10 Tips to Maximize Your AC Efficiency This Summer

A well-tuned air conditioner can cut summer energy bills by 20% or more compared to a neglected system. These ten practical habits and upgrades will help you stay cool in Des Moines without paying a premium.

1. Start the season with a professional tune-up

A pre-season visit catches refrigerant issues, dirty coils, and electrical faults before they turn into breakdowns on a 95-degree afternoon. Customers on a Freedom maintenance plan get this automatically, plus priority scheduling when something does go wrong.

2. Change your air filter on a schedule

Dirty filters are the #1 cause of preventable AC problems. A clogged filter forces the blower to fight for airflow, increases runtime, and can eventually freeze the evaporator coil. Check monthly, replace every 1 to 3 months.

3. Keep the outdoor unit clear

Your condenser needs at least two feet of breathing room on every side. Trim back shrubs, remove leaves and grass clippings, and hose off the fins gently once a season. A blocked condenser can't dump heat, and a system that can't dump heat can't cool efficiently.

4. Program the thermostat for how you actually live

Raising the setpoint by 7–10 degrees during work hours or overnight can trim 10% or more off cooling costs. A smart thermostat like our Freedom Smart Thermostat handles this automatically and adjusts based on weather and occupancy.

5. Use ceiling fans the right way

Fans cool people, not rooms. Running a ceiling fan lets you raise the thermostat about 4 degrees without sacrificing comfort — but only while you're actually in the room. Turn them off when you leave.

6. Close blinds on south and west windows

Direct sunlight can heat a room by 10 degrees or more. Closing blinds or using light-colored curtains during peak sun hours dramatically reduces the load on your AC.

7. Seal air leaks around doors, windows, and attic hatches

Cool air escaping to the attic or outdoors is a silent budget drain. Caulk, weatherstripping, and attic hatch gaskets are inexpensive fixes that pay back fast.

8. Give your kitchen and laundry a break during peak heat

Ovens, dryers, and dishwashers add both heat and humidity. Run them early or late in the day, and use range hoods and bath fans to move that warm, moist air outside.

9. Check and seal ductwork

Leaky ducts routinely lose 20–30% of the conditioned air they carry, especially in basements and unconditioned crawlspaces. Duct sealing is one of the highest-ROI efficiency upgrades we perform.

10. Know when to replace

Most central air systems last 12 to 15 years. If yours is past that window, needs frequent repairs, or still runs on R-22 refrigerant, the energy savings from a modern high-efficiency replacement can pay for much of the upgrade over time.