As the heat increases, so does your air conditioning expenses. To keep your AC costs controlled you could be thinking, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Lake Forest?
It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.
Keeping your air conditioning running all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest adjusting your thermostat higher when you’re out, and turning it down when you get back. You can do this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the work for you.
It’s much more laborious for your system to achieve the same temperature for many hours. It can also result in a lot of wear and tear to your air conditioner, since it’s constantly turning on and off.
So, on top of it increasing your utility bills, it may also lead to a reduced life expectancy for your HVAC system.
Regardless, the bigger the difference between your home’s temperature and the outside temperature, the higher 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 upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
6 Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency
- Change Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can spend up to 10% less yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re out. Through the summer months, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees at the time you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to abstain from setting your thermostat to a lower setting than usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool down your house any sooner, it just causes higher utility bills. While these temperatures may seem toasty, there are a number of ways 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 utilizing your ceiling fan can decrease energy by up to 14% over the course of the summer season. It’s important to keep in mind that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Furthermore, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn throughout the day helps keep chilled air indoors. There are also some window solutions meant to deliver added insulation and improve energy efficiency.
- Effectively Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings all around a home allow for cooler air to easily get out and warm air to get within. This can result in your AC unit needing to work harder to keep your residence cool and your energy expenses to rise. Make sure that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts close to windows and doors.
- Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your AC is always performing at its most energy efficient. This lets our pro to detect small issues before they become serious problems. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even last longer.
- Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest approaches to guarantee comfort and efficiency is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively changes the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or gone to maximize your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR states that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on HVAC bills.
- Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can expect a sufficiently taken care of air conditioner to live for 15-20 years. But if you’re often calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility expenses are increasing with no change 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 compromising comfort.
Enhance Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
No one likes to see their utility bill rise during the summer season. If you’re seeking more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills lower this summer, our pros can help. Get in touch with us at 949-204-0859 or contact us online today for more info.