As the heat rises, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your AC expenses under control you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Seymour?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.
Keeping your air conditioner on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.
It’s considerably more work for your system to keep the same setting throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of stress on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also result in a reduced life expectancy for your AC unit.
No matter what, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. Through the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any quicker, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC unit.
- 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 summer. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence enable conditioned air to easily escape and warmer air to get in. This could lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to locate small issues before they turn into major problems. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or away to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can foresee a properly maintained air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Diedrick's Heating and Air Conditioning
No one likes to see their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses lower this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 920-833-7967 or contact us online now for more info.