As the heat goes up, so does your AC expenses. To keep your air conditioning bills controlled you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Marshalltown?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your AC going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it back down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.
It’s much more work for your system to achieve a constant setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also lead to a reduced life span for your air conditioner.
In any case, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to avoid 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 causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to always run the air conditioning.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house allow for conditioned air to easily get out and warm air to get in. This can result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your AC bills to climb. Check that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to identify little issues before they turn into major dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or elsewhere to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect a properly taken care of air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with B & G HVAC
No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs low this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 641-316-3360 or contact us online now for more info.