As the temp goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling expenses down you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Eastland?
It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually false.
Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.
It’s considerably more work for your system to stay at a consistent temperature for many hours. It can also result in a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also result in a shortened life span for your AC.
In any case, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher your energy bills will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills lower in the summer? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. Through the summer months, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any faster, it just leads to bigger energy expenses. While these temperatures may seem warm, there are additional ways to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% throughout the cooling season. 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. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions meant to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings all across a house let cooler air to easily escape and warm air to get inside. This could result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cool and your AC expenses to increase. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Plan for Routine Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always running at its most energy efficient. This allows our pro to locate simple issues before they become substantial dilemmas. A maintained AC unit is usually more efficient and may even live for a greater period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically alters the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to notice when you’re at your house or gone to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can figure a properly taken care of air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently needing us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing with no fluctuations in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.
Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with J & J Air Conditioning
No one enjoys seeing their utility bill rise during the summer. If you’re seeking more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills lower this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 254-355-3833 or contact us online now for additional details.