As the temp goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling bills down you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Eastland?

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

Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to stay at the same setting for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also result in a shortened life cycle for your air conditioner.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions 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. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. Through the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time 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 faster, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC 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 exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains closed during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home permit conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get within. This may result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home cool and your utility bills to rise. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to identify small issues before they turn into major problems. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or out to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with J & J Air Conditioning

No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills down this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 254-355-3833 or contact us online now for more information.