As the temp rises, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your AC costs under control you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Payson?
It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a misconception.
Keeping your air conditioner on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.
It’s far more work for your system to stay at a constant setting throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it could also cause a shortened life span for your air conditioner.
Regardless, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills down in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE affirms that you can spend up to 10% less a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. In the summer months, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any quicker, it just leads to more expensive utility expenses. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the AC unit.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% throughout the summer season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air indoors. There are also some window coverings made to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps around a house permit cool air to rapidly get out and the heat to get in. This may result in your AC unit needing to work harder to keep your house cooler and your energy bills to increase. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy solutions for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Arrange Routine Checkups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always running at its most energy efficient. This permits our experts to locate simple issues before they become major troubles. A well-kept AC unit is usually more efficient and could even run for a greater period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest ways to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively changes the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or gone to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on HVAC bills.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate an adequately maintained AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently contacting us for air conditioning repair or your energy costs are skyrocketing with no altering in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We offer a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with North Mechanical Heating and Cooling
No one likes to see their air conditioning bill rise during the warmer months. If you’re seeking more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 928-263-8570 or contact us online right away for more details.