As the heat increases, so does your energy expenses. To keep your cooling bills controlled you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Narvon?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.
Keeping your air conditioner on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.
It’s considerably more work for your system to stay at the same temperature throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also cause a shortened life cycle for your AC unit.
Regardless, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your AC 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 Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. Through the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the AC unit.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home permit conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warm air to get within. This may cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your energy bills to increase. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our experts to locate simple issues before they become significant dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to 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 regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or elsewhere to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly taken care of AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Ameri-Tec
No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses lower this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 717-479-4950 or contact us online now for extra information.