As the temperature increases, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning costs down you could 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 AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.

Keeping your AC running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s far more work for your system to stay at the same temp all day long. It can also result in a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also cause a shorter life expectancy for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any sooner, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home enable conditioned air to rapidly escape and warmer air to get within. This could lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to detect simple issues before they become significant problems. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or elsewhere to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We supply 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 Taylor's 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 consumption and expenses down this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 519-296-4437 or contact us online today for more info.