As the heat goes up, so does your energy costs. To keep your air conditioning costs controlled you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Thedford?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and turning it down when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s far more work for your system to keep a consistent setting all day long. It can also result in a lot of strain on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it could also cause a shortened life cycle for your AC unit.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. In the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any quicker, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of 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 save energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house permit conditioned air to easily get out and warmer air to get within. This may result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cooler and your energy bills to increase. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to identify little issues before they become significant dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install 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 day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re at your house or elsewhere to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly taken care of air conditioner to run 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 supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

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

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 519-296-4437 or contact us online right away for additional info.