As the heat rises, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC bills under control you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Bloomfield?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your air conditioner running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s much more work for your system to keep a consistent temp all day long. It can also cause a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also lead to a reduced life expectancy for your air conditioner.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher 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 ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your house any quicker, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the air conditioning.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence let conditioned air to rapidly escape and warm air to get within. This could lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your utility bills to climb. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our experts to spot small issues before they turn into significant troubles. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or gone to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly taken care of AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Stanford Heating & Cooling

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 812-825-8695 or contact us online today for more info.