As the temp increases, so does your AC bills. To keep your cooling expenses down you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Kearney?
It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually false.
Keeping your AC running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and turning it down when you come home. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the job for you.
It’s far more taxing for your system to keep a constant temperature throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it can also cause a shorter life cycle for your AC.
No matter what, the greater the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your electric bills low in the summer? Here are our suggestions 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
- Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE affirms that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. During the summer, it’s recommended to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any faster, it just causes bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are a number of methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the AC unit.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and using your ceiling fan can lessen AC by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to be mindful that that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and boost energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a home let conditioned air to rapidly escape and the heat to get inside. This may result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC bills to climb. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always performing at its most efficient. This permits our professionals to detect small issues before they result in major problems. A well-kept air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works with your smartphone to see when you’re at your house or away to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 yearly on energy costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect a properly maintained AC to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Thurston Heating & Air Conditioning
No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs down this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 308-624-3485 or contact us online today for additional details.