As the temperature goes up, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling expenses low you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Heflin?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to stay at the same setting for many hours. It can also lead to 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 may also lead to a shorter life cycle for your AC unit.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. Through the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any quicker, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home permit conditioned air to quickly get out and warm air to get inside. This could lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your utility bills to rise. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our experts to detect small issues before they turn into major problems. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or out to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Bain Heating & Air Conditioning

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills down this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 256-270-1196 or contact us online right away for extra details.