As the heat rises, so does your AC expenses. To keep your AC bills under control you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Troy?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.
Keeping your air conditioner going constantly 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 achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.
It’s a lot more taxing for your system to achieve the same setting all day long. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also cause a shortened life cycle for your air conditioner.
No matter what, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your air conditioning costs will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills lower in the hot weather? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Temperature. The DOE states that you can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. In the summer months, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any faster, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might seem warm, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions meant to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps all around a house permit cooler air to rapidly slip out and warm air to get in. This can result in your AC needing to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility bills to rise. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Plan for Routine Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always functioning at its most energy efficient. This permits our experts to find small issues before they become major troubles. A clean AC unit is usually more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best approaches to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically changes the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or gone to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a sufficiently taken care of AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently needing us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no fluctuations in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We offer numerous energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.
Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Edington Heating & Cooling Inc
No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill rise 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 937-558-9478 or contact us online now for more information.