As the temp increases, so does your AC expenses. To keep your cooling bills controlled you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Heflin?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it back down when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s a lot more work for your system to stay at a constant temperature for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also lead to a reduced life expectancy for your AC unit.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? 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. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. In 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 usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any sooner, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioning.
2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed for the duration of 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 openings throughout a residence enable conditioned air to quickly escape and warmer air to get in. This may result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your energy bills to climb. Make sure that any cracks, 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 system is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to spot simple issues before they result in significant dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is usually 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 cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or gone to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

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

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs lower this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 256-270-1196 or contact us online right away for more information.