As the temperature rises, so does your AC expenses. To keep your AC expenses down 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 AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually false.
Keeping your air conditioning on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.
It’s considerably more taxing for your system to keep a constant temperature for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also result in a shorter life expectancy for your air conditioner.
Regardless, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the summer season? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Temperature. 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 warmer months, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your home any sooner, it just leads to higher energy costs. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are additional ways to keep cooler without having to always run the AC unit.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% during the course of the warm months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air indoors. There are also some window solutions meant to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings around a residence allow for cool air to rapidly get out and warm air to get in. This may result in your AC unit needing to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your utility costs to increase. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple mends for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Arrange Routine Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always performing at its best. This lets our professionals to find little issues before they become substantial dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and can even run longer.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively alters the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or gone to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on energy bills.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect an adequately cared for AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility costs are climbing with no shifts in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. 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 Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Stanford Heating & Cooling
No one likes to see their energy bill rise during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 812-825-8695 or contact us online right away for extra information.