As the temperature increases, so does your energy bills. To keep your AC 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 AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.

Keeping your AC on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s significantly more work for your system to achieve a consistent temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also cause a shorter life cycle for your air conditioner.

In any case, 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 electric 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 Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. In the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any faster, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence permit conditioned air to easily get out and warmer air to get within. This could lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills to skyrocket. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to identify simple issues before they result in substantial dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re home or gone to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly taken care of AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

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

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the summer. 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 256-270-1196 or contact us online right away for additional info.