As the temperature increases, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your air conditioning costs controlled you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Middletown?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.
Keeping your air conditioner on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.
It’s considerably more laborious for your system to keep a consistent setting all day long. It can also cause a lot of stress on your system, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also cause a shorter life cycle for your AC.
No matter what, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills down in the summer? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Modify Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. In the summer, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any sooner, it just causes higher energy costs. While these temperatures may seem toasty, there are a number of approaches to keep cool without having to always run the AC unit.
- Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds down and curtains closed during the day helps keep conditioned air in. There are also some window solutions meant to deliver extra insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks around a home permit conditioned air to easily slip out and warm air to get in. This could result in your AC unit having to work harder to keep your house cool and your utility bills to climb. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple solutions for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Plan for Regular Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always functioning at its most energy efficient. This allows our pro to locate small issues before they turn into major dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the best approaches to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to know when you’re at your house or elsewhere to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 annually on energy bills.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can anticipate an adequately maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility costs are rising with no shifts in thermostat settings, it might 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.
Increase Your House’s Energy Efficiency with SchagrinGAS Company
No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills lower this summer, our professionals can help. Get in touch with us at 302-231-1380 or contact us online now for more details.