As the heat rises, so does your energy costs. To keep your cooling bills low you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Hodgenville?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioning on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting 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 can do the job for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to stay at the same temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also cause a shorter life span for your AC.

Regardless, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips 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. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool your residence any sooner, it just results in bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioning.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains closed during the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home enable conditioned air to rapidly escape and warmer air to get inside. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your energy bills to climb. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always running at its most efficient. This allows our pros to identify small issues before they turn into substantial problems. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re home or elsewhere to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can figure a properly maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc.

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs down this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 270-358-3167 or contact us online now for extra information.