As the temperature goes up, so does your energy costs. To keep your cooling bills controlled you may be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Macon?
It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually a myth.
Keeping your air conditioner going constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and lowering it when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do everything for you.
It’s far more laborious for your system to achieve the same setting throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it may also cause a shorter life span for your AC unit.
No matter what, the larger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your utility bills down in the warm weather? Here are our tips based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Approaches to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Temperature. The DOE says that you can spend up to 10% less per year on heating and cooling by increasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. Through the summer, it’s suggested to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to forgo setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than usual when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your residence any sooner, it just results in more expensive electric expenses. While these temperatures may appear high, there are a number of ways to keep comfortable without having to consistently run the AC.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower energy by up to 14% during the course of the summer. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut during the day helps keep chilled air indoors. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps around a house let cooler air to quickly get out and the heat to get within. This may lead to your AC being required to work harder to keep your residence comfortable and your AC costs to skyrocket. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy mends for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Plan for Annual Tune-Ups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your equipment is always running at its best. This allows our experts to locate little issues before they become major troubles. A clean AC unit is usually more efficient and can even live longer.
- Invest in a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest ways to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adapts the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re in your home or elsewhere to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 per year on HVAC expenses.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate an adequately cared for air conditioner to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly contacting us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing with no fluctuations in thermostat settings, it may be time for a replacement. We carry numerous energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.
Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Air Temperature Control
No one wants to see their air conditioning bill rise during the warm months. If you’re wanting more ways to keep your energy usage and expenses low this summer, our team can help. Get in touch with us at 478-202-3170 or contact us online now for more details.