As the temp increases, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your air conditioning costs down you could be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Cambridge?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC going all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and lowering it when you return. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.
It’s far more taxing for your system to achieve a constant setting throughout the day. It can also result in a lot of stress on your air conditioner, since it’s frequently turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it could also lead to a shorter life cycle for your HVAC system.
In any case, the greater the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your energy costs will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your energy bills down in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based off of recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Approaches to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Thermostat Usage. The DOE states that you can save up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away at work. In the hotter months, it’s advised to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re out. It’s additionally important to forgo setting your thermostat to a lower setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any faster, it just causes bigger energy costs. While these temperatures might appear high, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the air conditioning.
- Use Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by a mere 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can lower air conditioning costs by up to 14% throughout the summer season. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you exit the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Furthermore, keeping blinds down and curtains drawn for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings intended to deliver added insulation and increase energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings all across a house enable cooler air to easily slip out and warmer air to get inside. This may cause your AC unit needing to work harder to keep your residence cooler and your energy costs to increase. Check that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple mends for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
- Plan for Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always running at its most energy efficient. This allows our professionals to detect simple issues before they turn into significant dilemmas. A well-kept AC unit is usually more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively alters the temperature based on your everyday schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re at home or out to maximize your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could actually save you about $180 every year on HVAC bills.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can expect an adequately maintained AC to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re regularly contacting us for air conditioning repair or your utility costs are climbing with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We offer numerous energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without compromising comfort.
Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with Pliescott HVAC Services LLC
No one likes to see their air conditioning bill rise during the warmer months. If you’re in search of more ways to keep your energy usage and costs low this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 410-228-4822 or contact us online today for more details.