As the temp goes up, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your AC costs under control you may 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 air conditioner on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually false.
Keeping your air conditioner running constantly means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re away, and turning it back down when you come home. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.
It’s considerably more laborious for your system to achieve the same setting throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of wear and tear to your system, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also lead to a shortened life span for your air conditioner.
Regardless, the larger the difference between your home’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 summer season? Here are our tips based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Six Ways to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. Through the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees when 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 air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any quicker, it just leads to bigger energy bills. While these temperatures might appear warm, there are additional methods to keep cooler without having to consistently run the air conditioner.
- Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says increasing the thermostat by just 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen air conditioning costs by up to 14% over the course of the warm months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you head out of the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cool air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a house permit conditioned air to easily slip out and warmer air to get in. This could lead to your AC equipment having to work harder to keep your house cool and your AC bills to increase. Make certain that any gaps, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Arrange Routine Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance ensures your AC is always running at its most efficient. This lets our pros to find simple issues before they turn into major troubles. A well-kept air conditioner is usually more efficient and could even live for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to assure comfort and energy savings is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat automatically adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to sense when you’re in your home or elsewhere to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly maintained AC unit to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your AC bills are increasing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a new system. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Enhance Your House’s Energy Efficiency with Pliescott HVAC Services LLC
No one likes to see their electricity bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our team can help. Give us a call at 410-228-4822 or contact us online right away for additional info.