As the temperature increases, so does your AC bills. To keep your air conditioning bills down you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Hodgenville?

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

Keeping your air conditioning on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to stay at the same temp all day long. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also lead to a reduced life expectancy for your HVAC system.

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 keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer season? Here are our tips based upon 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 says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s also important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your house any faster, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease 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 conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains closed throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence enable conditioned air to easily slip out and warmer air to get inside. This may result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your AC bills to increase. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to identify small issues before they result in major troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is usually 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 energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or elsewhere to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect a properly cared for AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it may be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc.

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and costs lower this summer, our pros can help. Reach us at 270-358-3167 or contact us online today for more information.