As the temp increases, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your cooling expenses controlled you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in East Bernard?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your air conditioner going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s much more taxing for your system to keep a consistent temperature for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it could also result in a shortened life cycle for your AC unit.

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

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. In the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool your house any quicker, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains shut during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house enable conditioned air to rapidly slip out and warm air to get within. This can lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your utility bills to increase. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our experts to detect small issues before they turn into significant dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
  5. 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 regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re at your house or gone to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can figure a properly cared for air conditioner to last 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 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 bargaining comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with E.B. Air

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 979-335-4262 or contact us online now for more details.