As the temperature rises, so does your AC costs. To keep your cooling bills under control you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Troy?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your air conditioning on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s far more work for your system to stay at a constant setting for many hours. It can also result in a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also lead to a reduced life span for your air conditioner.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips 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 affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. During the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any quicker, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home enable conditioned air to rapidly escape and warm air to get in. This can lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cooler and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our pros to spot small issues before they result in significant dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to notice when you’re at home or out to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. 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 Edington Heating & Cooling Inc

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses lower this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 937-558-9478 or contact us online right away for more info.