As the temp increases, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your cooling bills down you might be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Covington?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.
Keeping your air conditioner running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.
It’s far more work for your system to keep a consistent temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also lead to a shortened life cycle for your AC.
In any case, the greater the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. 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 elsewhere. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear high, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen 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 areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home allow for conditioned air to quickly slip out and warmer air to get within. This could cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills to climb. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our pros to identify small issues before they result in serious dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to see when you’re home or out to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can figure a properly maintained AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.
Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Covington Air Systems
No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs lower this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at (770) 462-5319 or contact us online now for more details.