As the temperature rises, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your cooling costs low you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Tannersville?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your air conditioning going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and turning it back down when you get back. 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 achieve a consistent temperature for many hours. It can also cause a lot of stress on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it may also lead to a reduced life span for your AC.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your home’s 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 warm weather? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. During the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence permit conditioned air to easily get out and warm air to get inside. This can result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your energy bills to rise. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to find simple issues before they become serious problems. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or gone to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly maintained AC 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 might be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Speed Air

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills low this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 800-941-0247 or contact us online now for extra info.