As the temperature goes up, so does your energy costs. To keep your cooling expenses down you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Mission Viejo?

It’s a widespread belief that turning your AC unit on and off throughout the day is a waste of energy. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your AC on all day means you’re not using it very efficiently. We advise setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it down when you return. You can achieve this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat is able to do the work for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to achieve a consistent temp for many hours. It can also cause a lot of strain on your system, 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 span for your AC.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your indoor temperature and the outside temperature, the greater your AC expenses will be. So, what can you do to remain cool and keep your utility bills low in the warm weather? Here are our suggestions based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Methods to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Tweak Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% yearly on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re out of the house. During the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re away. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than average when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool off your house any faster, it just results in bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear high, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the AC.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says raising the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lower AC by up to 14% over the course of the warmer months. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not spaces. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Also, keeping blinds low and curtains drawn during the day helps keep chilled air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver added insulation and enhance energy efficiency.
  3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky openings throughout a house enable conditioned air to rapidly slip out and the heat to get in. This can result in your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your residence cool and your energy bills to climb. Make sure that any gaps, doors and windows are adequately sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your system is always functioning at its most efficient. This permits our experts to find little issues before they result in substantial dilemmas. A clean air conditioner is usually more efficient and may even run for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the easiest methods to ensure comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat intuitively adjusts the temperature based on your regular schedule. It works with your smartphone to know when you’re in your home or gone to enhance your efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 every year on energy costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioning Unit. You can anticipate a properly cared for AC to last for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your utility bills are skyrocketing with no change in thermostat settings, it could be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, such as ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without negotiating comfort.

Improve Your Residence’s Energy Efficiency with 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the warm months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs low this summer, our experts can help. Give us a call at 949-204-0859 or contact us online now for extra details.