As the temp increases, so does your AC costs. To keep your cooling bills down you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Payson?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioner on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to stay at a consistent temperature all day long. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also lead to a shorter life expectancy for your AC unit.

In any case, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility 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 Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. In 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 also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any quicker, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home permit conditioned air to easily escape and warmer air to get within. This may cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your utility bills to increase. Check that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our experts to locate simple issues before they result in substantial troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or gone to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can figure a properly cared for air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with North Mechanical 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 consumption and expenses down this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 928-263-8570 or contact us online now for additional information.