As the heat goes up, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your AC costs under control you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Reinholds?

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

Keeping your AC running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting 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 significantly more laborious for your system to stay at the same setting throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also cause a shorter life span for your air conditioner.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy 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 Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% a year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. During the summer, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a colder setting than usual when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any faster, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures could appear toasty, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the AC unit.
  2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and increase energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house enable conditioned air to easily get out and the heat to get within. This can cause your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cool and your utility bills to increase. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your air conditioner is always performing at its most efficient. This allows our professionals to detect simple issues before they result in substantial problems. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works together with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or gone to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC Unit. You can expect a properly maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Enhance Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with County Line Mechanical LLC

No one wants to see their air conditioning bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs lower this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 717-216-0846 or contact us online today for extra info.