As the temp increases, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling bills under control you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Laurel?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s much more laborious for your system to keep a constant temperature for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also cause a reduced life expectancy for your air conditioner.

In any case, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. Through the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any quicker, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house let conditioned air to quickly escape and warm air to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your energy bills to rise. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to find simple issues before they turn into substantial problems. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re home or away to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly maintained air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with H&C Heating and Cooling

No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills down this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 301-960-3247 or contact us online right away for extra info.