As the heat goes up, so does your energy expenses. To keep your cooling bills under control you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Hodgenville?
It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC going all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.
It’s much more work for your system to achieve a consistent temp throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also cause a shorter life cycle for your AC unit.
Regardless, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills down in the summer? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE states that you can spend up to 10% less per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. During the hotter months, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any quicker, it just causes more expensive electric costs. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are a number of approaches to keep cool without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% during the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air in. There are also some window coverings made to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house allow for cooler air to quickly escape and warm air to get in. This may result in your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your AC bills to rise. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy solutions for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Arrange Annual Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always performing at its best. This lets our experts to spot simple issues before they become major problems. A clean AC is typically more efficient and might even run for a greater period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest ways to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively changes the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re at home or out to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 annually on energy expenses.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a sufficiently cared for air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently contacting us for air conditioning repair or your energy costs are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We supply a number of energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Phelps Heating & Cooling
No one enjoys seeing their air conditioning bill rise during the summer season. If you’re wanting more ways to keep your energy use and expenses lower this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 270-358-3167 or contact us online now for more details.