As the heat rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your cooling bills low you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Auburn and Opelika?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.
Keeping your air conditioning going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.
It’s much more taxing for your system to keep a constant temp all day long. It can also result in a lot of stress on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also cause a reduced life span for your AC unit.
Regardless, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills down in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE states that you can spend up to 10% less annually on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. Through the warmer months, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any sooner, it just results in higher electric bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are many ways to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioner.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. 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 low and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions meant to deliver added insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings around a house permit conditioned air to rapidly slip out and the heat to get within. This can result in your air conditioner having to work harder to keep your home cooler and your utility expenses to increase. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick mends for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Arrange Annual Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always functioning at its most energy efficient. This permits our professionals to detect simple issues before they become major problems. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even live for a greater period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best ways to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or gone to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling bills.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly taken care of air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are skyrocketing with no fluctuations in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We carry numerous energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Farnell Mechanical, Inc.
No one wants to see their air conditioning bill rise during the summer season. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy use and costs down this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 334-524-2458 or contact us online right away for extra information.