The days when air conditioning was a luxury service reserved only for the privileged few are now gone. These days, almost every homeowner has an air conditioner installed in their home to provide cooling service when extreme summer heat sets in, making indoor temperatures uncomfortable. Unfortunately, air conditioners can be costly to operate, as they use electricity. With the right information, however, you can keep your air conditioning bills down.

Here are a number of things you can do to ensure your AC does not consume too much electricity while you're trying to keep cool.

Invest in an energy-efficient model.

A majority of today's AC manufacturers know just how important it is for homeowners to keep their energy expenses down. That is why they constantly strive to provide homeowners with energy-efficient AC models. When you're choosing an AC for your home, make sure you invest in a unit that is designed to provide energy-efficient cooling service. Check the energy efficiency ratings of the various AC models available to you, and choose a model that suits you.

Keep your AC unit clean and well-maintained.

AC units consist of various components that regularly need to be cleaned in order to keep the equipment in tiptop working shape. Be sure to have your AC filters, coils and fins cleaned on a regular basis so that dirt build-up does not get in the way when you need your AC to work at peak efficiency. In addition, make sure you perform all other maintenance checks required to keep your AC running properly. The less work your AC has to do in order to circulate cool air within your house, the lower the amount of electricity it will consume. 

Don't cool rooms you're not using.

As already mentioned, air conditioning systems are designed to provide cooling service so that people can feel comfortable while staying indoors. So it does not make good sense to cool space you're not using. There's absolutely no need for you to cool unoccupied rooms because that would only waste electricity and increase your energy costs unnecessarily. Turn off air conditioning off in rooms that are not being used or simply switch to energy-saver mode.

Like several other homeowners, you probably want to keep your AC running without necessarily leading to costly electricity costs. By following these tips, you can enjoy cooling service from your air conditioning system without cringing when you see your monthly electricity bill.