As the temp increases, so does your energy costs. To keep your air conditioning costs low you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Justin?

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

Keeping your air conditioning running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.

It’s significantly more laborious for your system to keep a consistent temp throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also result in a reduced life expectancy for your air conditioner.

In any case, the larger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your energy 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 Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away. In the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any faster, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are many methods to keep cooler without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains closed during the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a house permit conditioned air to quickly slip out and warmer air to get within. This can cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cooler and your energy bills to climb. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to identify little issues before they result in substantial troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to ensure comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or gone to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can foresee a properly taken care of AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Pepper AC & Heat

No one likes to see their air conditioning bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs low this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 940-202-1184 or contact us online now for more information.