As the temp goes up, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your AC costs low you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Laurel?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.
It’s much more work for your system to achieve the same temperature throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also lead to a shortened life span for your air conditioner.
Regardless, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. Through the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any faster, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house let conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get inside. This may result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to rise. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to locate small issues before they result in significant dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or elsewhere to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a properly taken care of AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with H&C Heating and Cooling
No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs lower this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 301-960-3247 or contact us online today for extra info.