As the temperature increases, so does your energy bills. To keep your air conditioning costs under control 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 a waste of energy. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioner running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s a lot more laborious for your system to stay at a consistent setting throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also result in a reduced life cycle for your HVAC system.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. Through the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any faster, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower energy 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 be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home let conditioned air to quickly get out and the heat to get within. This may cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home cooler and your utility bills to rise. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to locate small issues before they become serious dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re at your house or away to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can figure a properly taken care of air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

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

No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills down this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 334-524-2458 or contact us online right away for extra information.