As the temperature rises, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your air conditioning expenses under control you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Norton?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioner going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to keep a consistent temp for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also lead to a shortened life cycle for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions 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% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. During the summer, 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 lower setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any faster, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home permit conditioned air to rapidly get out and the heat to get in. This could cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cooler and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to 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 spot small issues before they result in major problems. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or away to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly cared for air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with HCE Systems

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses lower this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 276-302-0076 or contact us online now for more information.