As the heat goes up, so does your energy bills. To keep your AC costs down 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 on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it back down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.

It’s a lot more taxing for your system to stay at the same temp all day long. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also result in a reduced life expectancy for your AC unit.

Regardless, the bigger 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 remain cool and keep your energy bills low in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms 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 at work. 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 colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any sooner, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are many methods to keep cool without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to rapidly slip out and the heat to get in. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC bills to skyrocket. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our experts to locate small issues before they turn into major dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re at home or gone to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

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

No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills low this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 614-879-9091 or contact us online right away for extra info.