As the temp rises, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your air conditioning costs low you might be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Moline?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.
Keeping your AC on constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.
It’s a lot more laborious for your system to stay at a constant setting for many hours. It can also result in a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also cause a reduced life cycle for your AC.
In any case, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states 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. Through the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any faster, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep cool without having to always run the AC.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home let conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get inside. This could result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your utility bills to climb. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your air conditioner is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our pros to locate little issues before they turn into significant dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is typically more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best 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 know when you’re at home or gone to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC. You can figure a properly cared for AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with J.L. Brady Company LLC
No one enjoys seeing their utility bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs down this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 309-517-7511 or contact us online now for extra details.
