As the temperature goes up, so does your energy expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs controlled you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Litchfield Park?

It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioner going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you get back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to achieve a consistent temp all day long. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also lead to a shortened life cycle for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any sooner, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC.
2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house permit conditioned air to rapidly get out and the heat to get inside. This can result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to increase. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always running at its most efficient. This permits our pros to find small issues before they result in significant problems. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or elsewhere to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a properly cared for air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Cooler Tymes LLC

No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 623-208-6444 or contact us online today for additional details.