As the temperature rises, so does your air conditioning bills. To keep your AC costs down you could be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Sandpoint?
It’s a popular belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually not true.
Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you get back. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat will do the job for you.
It’s significantly more laborious for your system to stay at a constant setting all day long. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it might also cause a shorter life expectancy for your AC unit.
Regardless, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your AC bills will be. So, what can you do to keep cool and keep your electric bills lower in the hot weather? Here are our suggestions based on recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Methods to Boost Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Tweak Your Temperature. The DOE states that you can save up to 10% annually on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out. Through the warmer months, it’s advised to set your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than average when you turn on your AC unit. This doesn’t actually cool your house any sooner, it just causes more expensive utility bills. While these temperatures may 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 raising the thermostat by just 2 degrees and utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% throughout the summer. It’s important to note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to conserve energy. Also, keeping blinds down and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep chilled air indoors. There are also some window solutions designed to deliver additional insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks all around a residence allow for conditioned air to rapidly escape and the heat to get in. This can lead to your AC having to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your AC bills to increase. Make sure that any openings, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are quick mends for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
- Arrange Routine Checkups. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always performing at its most efficient. This lets our experts to locate little issues before they result in substantial problems. A maintained AC is generally more efficient and may even live for a longer period of time.
- Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest approaches to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively alters the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works together with your smartphone to see when you’re at home or away to maximize your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 every year on heating and cooling costs.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can foresee an adequately maintained AC unit to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re often needing us for air conditioning repair or your utility costs are increasing with no shifts in thermostat settings, it might be time for an upgrade. We carry numerous energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.
Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Age Heating & Cooling
No one likes to see their energy bill increase during the summer season. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy use and costs lower this summer, our professionals can help. Reach us at 208-578-4258 or contact us online today for more info.