As the temp rises, so does your AC bills. To keep your cooling costs down you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Litchfield Park?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit 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 recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to achieve a constant setting throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also lead to a shortened life span for your AC.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? Here are our tips 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. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. Through the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any sooner, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home enable conditioned air to easily get out and warmer air to get in. This may result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home cool and your AC bills to rise. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably 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 assures that your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to spot little issues before they turn into major troubles. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or elsewhere to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee 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 AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Cooler Tymes LLC

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills lower this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 623-208-6444 or contact us online now for more info.