As the heat rises, so does your AC costs. To keep your air conditioning bills under control you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Elk River?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a misconception.
Keeping your AC going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.
It’s significantly more taxing for your system to stay at a consistent temp throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also cause a shortened life span for your AC.
Regardless, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away. Through the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as 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 residence any quicker, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC unit.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house permit conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get within. This can lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your AC bills to climb. Make sure 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.
- Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to spot small issues before they turn into major troubles. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or out to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a properly maintained AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.
Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Home Comfort Heating & Air
No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills down this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 763-276-0617 or contact us online now for additional info.
