As the temp goes up, so does your energy costs. To keep your air conditioning expenses down you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Circleville?

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 conditioner going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.

It’s a lot more laborious for your system to keep the same setting 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 electricity bills, it can also lead to a shortened life cycle for your AC unit.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any quicker, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house enable conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get in. This could result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your energy bills to increase. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to find small issues before they become serious troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or gone to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly maintained air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling

No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses lower this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 740-474-5940 or contact us online now for extra details.