Is It Cheaper to Keep Your AC on All Day in the Summer?

Feb 23, 2024

Author

Jake Nielson

Manager

As the heat goes up, so does your AC costs. To keep your cooling bills low you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Warrenton?

It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your air conditioner going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s considerably more laborious for your system to stay at a consistent temperature all day long. It can also cause a lot of stress on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

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

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our suggestions based on 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 says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. In the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your house any faster, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are many methods to keep cool without having to always run the air conditioner.

  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.

  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home enable conditioned air to rapidly escape and the heat to get inside. This can lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cool and your AC bills to climb. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.

  4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our experts to identify simple issues before they result in serious troubles. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.

  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee 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 sense when you’re at your house or elsewhere to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on energy costs.

  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can figure a properly maintained AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses lower this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 636-456-5041 or contact us online now for more info.