As the temp rises, so does your AC expenses. To keep your cooling bills under control you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Norton?

It’s a common 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 going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to achieve the same temp for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also result in a shortened life span for your HVAC system.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. In the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence permit conditioned air to easily slip out and the heat to get within. This may lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home cooler and your energy bills to increase. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to identify little issues before they result in serious dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or out to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with HCE Systems

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses down this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 276-302-0076 or contact us online now for more info.