Getting the most value out of your air conditioning unit is better for both the environment and your bank account. Particularly during the summer months, energy bills can be sky high.

There are several things to consider when purchasing and using your air conditioning unit to ensure that you are operating it with the best level of efficiency.

• Purchase air conditioning units with a programmable thermostat — AC units that come equipped with timers offer some of the best options for usage efficiency. Particularly for those who work outside the home or spend a big chunk of their day running errands, programmable thermostats and timers allow your unit to turn on automatically right before you get home. This ensures that you won't waste energy cooling an empty house.
• Raise the temperature a few degrees — By raising the temperature (or setting) of your air conditioning unit even slightly, there are significant energy savings. For every degree you raise the temperature, you can reduce your cooling costs by 3% or more (depending on your area).
• Use a ceiling fan in conjunction with your AC unit — By supplementing the use of your air conditioning unit with a ceiling fan, the room will feel 6 to 7 degrees cooler. Fans trick us into feeling cooler, without really affecting the temperature. Thus, remember to turn off ceiling fans when you are not in the room as this will just be an energy waster.
• Look for additional efficient-usage features — Some of the newer air conditioning units come with additional energy efficiency features such as a "sleep mode," which will allow the unit to raise its temperature several degrees during the night and bump it down again eight hours later. Some models also come equipped with variable speed fans to give you more energy efficiency options.
• Regularly maintain your AC unit and clean filters monthly — Cleaning (or replacing, if necessary) your air conditioning unit's filter on a regular basis will ensure that the unit is working as efficiently as possible. While the filter keeps dust and particles from re-entering the air, the accumulation after time reduces the functioning of the unit. Making sure that your filter and unit is clean will create the most efficiency and savings on your energy bills.
• Read your Energy Guide and Energy Star Labels — All air conditioning units should clearly be marked with energy efficiency information. It is to your best interest to ensure you are purchasing a unit with a high EER (energy efficiency rating). Energy Star stickers can be found on air conditioning units that use at least 10% less energy than standard conventional models. These AC units will work better and save you money in the long run.