As the temperature goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your AC expenses controlled you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Eastland?

It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioner on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it back down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to achieve the same setting throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it may also cause a shorter life span for your air conditioner.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. Through the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your house any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to note 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 closed for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home enable conditioned air to rapidly get out and the heat to get within. This could cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your utility bills to skyrocket. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our experts to spot little issues before they become significant dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or out to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly taken care of AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with J & J Air Conditioning

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 consumption and bills down this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 254-355-3833 or contact us online right away for additional info.