As the heat goes up, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your cooling expenses low you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Circleville?

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

Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to achieve a consistent temperature throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also cause a reduced life expectancy for your HVAC system.

Regardless, the greater the difference between your indoor 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 ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. 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 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 your house any faster, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could 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 utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house let conditioned air to easily slip out and warmer air to get within. This may result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your utility bills to increase. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to identify simple issues before they result in significant troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or gone to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly taken care of AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. 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 Home’s Energy Efficiency with Stephen Hurst Pack Heating and Cooling

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 740-474-5940 or contact us online now for extra details.