As the heat goes up, so does your energy bills. To keep your AC expenses low you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Marshalltown?

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

Keeping your air conditioning on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to stay at a consistent temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also lead to a shortened life span for your AC unit.

No matter what, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your home any quicker, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are many methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home allow for conditioned air to easily slip out and warm air to get inside. This could result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to skyrocket. Check that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our pros to find small issues before they result in significant troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to assure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to notice when you’re home or gone to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can figure a properly maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with B & G HVAC

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 641-316-3360 or contact us online today for additional information.