As the temperature increases, so does your air conditioning bills. 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 West Jefferson?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioning running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.

It’s a lot more laborious for your system to keep the same temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also cause a shortened life span for your HVAC system.

In any case, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? 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. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. Through the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your home any faster, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear warm, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence let conditioned air to easily get out and warm air to get inside. This may cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your home cool and your utility bills to skyrocket. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This allows our experts to locate simple issues before they result in significant troubles. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to assure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or away to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly taken care of AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc.

No one enjoys seeing their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills down this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 614-879-9091 or contact us online now for additional information.