As the temp rises, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC expenses down you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Justin?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.
Keeping your air conditioning running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.
It’s far more laborious for your system to stay at a consistent temp for many hours. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also result in a shortened life cycle for your HVAC system.
No matter what, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy costs will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills lower in the summer? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Temperature. The DOE affirms that you can spend up to 10% less per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. During the summer months, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any sooner, it just causes higher energy expenses. While these temperatures may feel high, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to always run the air conditioning.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% during the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air in. There are also some window solutions intended to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house enable conditioned air to quickly slip out and warm air to get inside. This could result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your AC bills to increase. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Plan for Regular Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our experts to identify small issues before they result in serious dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even live for a greater period of time.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adapts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re home or away to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a sufficiently maintained air conditioner 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 could be time for a new system. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.
Improve Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Pepper AC & Htg Inc
No one likes to see their utility bill increase during the summer season. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy use and expenses lower this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 940-202-1184 or contact us online now for more info.