As the heat increases, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling bills down you could be thinking, 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 wasteful. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your AC running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and turning it back down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.
It’s considerably more taxing for your system to stay at a consistent temp for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also lead to a shorter life expectancy for your AC.
In any case, the larger the difference between your home’s 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 warm weather? Here are our tips based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. Through the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any quicker, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the AC.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence enable conditioned air to quickly escape and the heat to get in. This can result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to skyrocket. 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 Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our experts to locate little issues before they result in significant troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re home or gone to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can foresee a properly maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing 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 bargaining comfort.
Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with J & J Air Conditioning
No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs lower this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 254-355-3833 or contact us online today for extra info.