As the temp increases, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your air conditioning bills low you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Booneville?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually not true.
Keeping your air conditioner going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.
It’s significantly more work for your system to stay at a consistent setting all day long. It can also cause a lot of stress on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also cause a shorter life span for your HVAC system.
No matter what, the bigger the difference between your indoor 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 suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s suggested to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any quicker, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC unit.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house enable conditioned air to easily get out and warmer air to get inside. This may result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cool and your AC bills to climb. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to detect simple issues before they result in serious problems. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even last for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or elsewhere to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing 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 trading comfort.
Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Booneville Heating & Cooling
No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills low this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 662-269-8716 or contact us online right away for additional information.