As the temperature rises, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning bills low you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Heflin?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually false.
Keeping your air conditioning on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.
It’s significantly more laborious for your system to keep the same temp throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also cause a reduced life cycle for your AC unit.
In any case, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy bills will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills down in the summer? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Temperature. The DOE states that you can save up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. During the summer months, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally 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 your house any quicker, it just results in higher energy bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% throughout the warmer months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains shut during the day helps keep chilled air in. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks around a house permit conditioned air to quickly get out and the heat to get inside. This could lead to your AC having to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your AC costs to skyrocket. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy solutions for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Schedule Regular Checkups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our experts to identify little issues before they turn into serious problems. A maintained AC unit is generally more efficient and may even live longer.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re at home or elsewhere to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate an adequately cared for AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly contacting us for air conditioning repair or your AC expenses are rising with no fluctuations in thermostat settings, it could 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 bargaining comfort.
Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Bain Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc
No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 256-270-1196 or contact us online right away for additional information.