ENERGY USE
Beat the Heat with High-Efficiency Cooling This Summer
Tips for AC shopping and easy ways to keep your system efficient.
If you’re shopping for a new air conditioner (AC) unit this season, we’ve got a few things to consider to help make an energy-efficient choice, along with tips to keep your unit running smoothly for years to come.
Choose wisely
Whether you need a window unit or a central air system, air conditioners today are more efficient than ever. Here are some things to consider:
- Right size for your space. A unit that is too large will cool the air but won’t adequately remove humidity. A unit that’s too small will be unable to keep up with the cooling demand.
- Program your temperature settings. Even basic window units come with digital displays, so you can set an exact temperature and schedule your AC to turn off when you’ll be out and back on when you’re coming home.
- Take advantage of the energy-saving setting. This setting allows the unit to turn off the compressor and the fan once your space has cooled, conserving energy.
- Look for high EER and SEER ratings. EER stands for “energy efficiency rating,” and SEER stands for “seasonal energy efficiency rating.”
- Look for the ENERGY STAR® rating. This ensures the unit meets or exceeds efficiency standards.
- Consider an air source heat pump (ASHP) instead of an AC unit for increased efficiency. An ASHP can heat and cool and is the only cooling equipment that has rebates available for its installation.
Use AC efficiently
When it comes to energy efficiency, the way your household uses air conditioning is just as important as the type of unit you choose. These tips will help make your AC as efficient as possible:
- Adjust the temperature settings. When you’re home or sleeping, set the temperature to 78°. When you’re away, program your AC to 85° to help manage cooling costs. At night, consider turning the AC off and opening the windows.
- Use ceiling fans. Fans circulate the air more efficiently than an air conditioner can alone, and they use less energy. Set the correct ceiling fan direction with air conditioning—counterclockwise to send the air down—and turn it off when you leave the room.
- Insulate and seal any point where an AC unit (or any part of a larger AC system) enters your home.
- Clean window AC units regularly. Wipe down the vents and rinse the filter monthly to keep things running smoothly and efficiently.
- Change your filter if you have central air conditioning. A clean filter will allow the unit to process air more efficiently while keeping up with demand.
Questions?
If you have questions about cooling your home, MGE’s Energy Experts can help. Email them at askexperts@mge.com or leave a voicemail message at 608-252-7000 (Option 3).
published: May 29, 2026
