As the temp increases, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your cooling bills under control you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Sussex County?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a misconception.
Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the work for you.
It’s a lot more laborious for your system to achieve the same setting all day long. It can also result in a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it could also result in a shorter life expectancy for your HVAC system.
No matter what, the bigger 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 remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer season? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s also important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any sooner, it just leads to bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to always run the AC unit.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn during the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to rapidly escape and the heat to get within. This could cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house comfortable and your energy bills to increase. Check that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Schedule Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your air conditioner is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our professionals to find simple issues before they result in significant problems. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and can 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 instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or gone to optimize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly taken care of air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Increase Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc.
No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and expenses low this summer, our experts can help. Reach us at 973-270-9244 or contact us online right away for extra info.