As the temp rises, so does your energy expenses. To keep your air conditioning bills down you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Kearney?

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

Keeping your AC on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re out, and turning it down when you get back. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do everything for you.

It’s a lot more work for your system to stay at a consistent setting all day long. It can also cause a lot of wear and tear to your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it can also result in a reduced life span for your air conditioner.

No matter what, the greater 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 season? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s suggested to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any quicker, it just leads to bigger utility bills. While these temperatures could appear warm, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the AC.
  2. Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing 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 season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains shut for the duration of the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a residence enable conditioned air to easily escape and warm air to get within. This can cause your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house cooler and your AC bills to rise. Make certain that any cracks, doors and windows are suitably sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your equipment is always running at its most efficient. This allows our experts to identify little issues before they result in substantial dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is usually more efficient and can even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or gone to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC unit to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.

Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning

No one likes to see their energy bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy usage and bills down this summer, our professionals can help. Give us a call at 308-624-3485 or contact us online right away for additional details.