As the heat increases, so does your AC bills. To keep your cooling costs low you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in West Jefferson?

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

Keeping your air conditioner going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s far more laborious for your system to achieve a constant temperature for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also cause a shorter life cycle for your air conditioner.

No matter what, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out. During the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear high, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower 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 exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house allow for conditioned air to rapidly get out and warm air to get inside. This could result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your utility bills to increase. 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 Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to locate little issues before they turn into substantial problems. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in 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 daily schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re home or away to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect a properly taken care of AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

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

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs down this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 614-879-9091 or contact us online right away for more info.