As the heat increases, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your cooling expenses under control you might 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 air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your AC running all the time 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 achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.
It’s significantly more laborious for your system to stay at the same setting for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it may also result in a shortened life span for your air conditioner.
Regardless, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater 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 tips 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
- Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any sooner, it just results in bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence let conditioned air to rapidly escape and warmer air to get in. This may cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your equipment is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our experts to spot small issues before they turn into significant troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works with your smartphone to notice when you’re at home or away to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC 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 energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Schraer Heating & Air Conditioning
No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs down this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 636-456-5041 or contact us online today for extra info.