As the temperature rises, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your AC expenses down you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Norton?
It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.
Keeping your air conditioner going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it down when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.
It’s a lot more work for your system to achieve a consistent temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also result in a shortened life cycle for your HVAC system.
Regardless, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change 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 while you’re out. During the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any faster, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC unit.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house permit conditioned air to easily get out and the heat to get within. This could result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your energy bills to rise. Check that any openings, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our pros to find simple issues before they turn into major troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even run for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or out to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly cared for AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with HCE Systems
No one likes to see their utility 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. Give us a call at 276-302-0076 or contact us online today for additional details.