As the heat increases, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling bills low you may 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 a waste of energy. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioner running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s a lot more laborious for your system to achieve the same temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also lead to a reduced life expectancy for your AC.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. Through the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any quicker, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC unit.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence permit conditioned air to easily slip out and the heat to get inside. This can lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your energy bills to climb. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to identify little issues before they result in major problems. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or out to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly taken care of AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

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

No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 740-474-5940 or contact us online now for more information.