As the heat goes up, so does your energy costs. To keep your AC expenses controlled you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Thedford?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioner going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to achieve the same temperature for many hours. It can also cause 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 cycle for your AC unit.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. In the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your house any faster, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cool without having to consistently run the AC.
2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 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 remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home allow for conditioned air to easily escape and the heat to get inside. This could result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your energy bills to skyrocket. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always running at its most efficient. This lets our experts to find simple issues before they become major dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re home or away to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect a properly taken care of AC to last 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 may be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Taylor's Heating & 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 consumption and bills low this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 519-296-4437 or contact us online today for extra info.