As the temperature goes up, so does your air conditioning costs. To keep your air conditioning expenses low you may be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Kearney?

It’s a popular belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.

Keeping your air conditioner going 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 return. You can do 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 stay at the same temperature throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of stress on your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it may also result in a reduced life expectancy for your AC unit.

Regardless, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills low in the hot weather? Here are our ideas based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Change Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees when you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any quicker, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says dialing up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease AC by up to 14% over the course of the cooling season. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not areas. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house enable conditioned air to rapidly escape and warmer air to get inside. This can lead to your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cool and your utility bills to climb. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
  4. Schedule Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your unit is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to spot simple issues before they result in serious dilemmas. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and can even last for a longer period of time.
  5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or elsewhere to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your AC. You can anticipate a properly maintained air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We offer many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

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

No one wants to see their electricity bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs low this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 308-624-3485 or contact us online now for additional information.