As the temp goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your cooling costs under control you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Ellsworth?

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

Keeping your AC running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s considerably more laborious for your system to keep the same temperature throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of stress on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also cause a shorter life cycle for your AC.

In any case, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the warm weather? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. 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 away at work. During the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home permit conditioned air to rapidly get out and warmer air to get in. This may lead to your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your utility bills to rise. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to find little issues before they turn into serious dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is generally more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or elsewhere to optimize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills down this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 715-318-6728 or contact us online today for extra information.