As the temperature goes up, so does your energy expenses. To keep your AC bills down you may be asking yourself, 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 not true.
Keeping your air conditioner on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.
It’s much more work for your system to stay at the same temperature for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain on your system, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it might also cause a shorter life cycle for your AC unit.
No matter what, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your home any quicker, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the AC.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. 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 lowered and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house permit conditioned air to easily escape and warm air to get within. This may cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your energy bills to climb. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Schedule Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our experts to identify little issues before they become significant dilemmas. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to 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 regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re home or away to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a properly maintained AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with SchagrinGAS Company
No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills lower this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 302-231-1380 or contact us online now for extra details.
