As the temperature rises, so does your AC expenses. To keep your AC bills controlled you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Swanton?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a misconception.

Keeping your air conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend setting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and lowering it when you come back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.

It’s far more taxing for your system to achieve the same temperature throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also result in a shortened life span for your air conditioner.

In any case, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your electric bills low in the warm weather? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. In the summer, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s also important to avoid setting your thermostat to a lower setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your residence any quicker, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC unit.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home allow for conditioned air to rapidly escape and warm air to get within. This could result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your house cool and your AC bills to skyrocket. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to identify small issues before they turn into serious troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and might even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest 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 together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or elsewhere to optimize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly cared for air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Northwest Services

No one wants to see their utility bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and bills low this summer, our experts can help. Get in touch with us at 419-548-5017 or contact us online right away for extra info.