As the temperature goes up, so does your energy costs. To keep your cooling costs controlled you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Auburn and Opelika?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to keep the same setting for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it may also lead to a reduced life cycle for your AC.

In any case, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based upon 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% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. During the summer, 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 abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any faster, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by only 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains closed during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a home permit conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get in. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home cool and your utility bills to rise. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our pros to spot little issues before they result in significant troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or elsewhere to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can expect a properly cared for AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Farnell Mechanical, Inc.

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and expenses low this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 334-524-2458 or contact us online today for additional info.