As the temp rises, so does your energy bills. To keep your air conditioning expenses down you might be wondering, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Monroe?

It’s a common belief that turning your air conditioner on and off throughout the day is wasteful. This is actually false.

Keeping your air conditioner on all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We recommend moving your thermostat to a higher setting when you’re away, and lowering it when you return. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do everything for you.

It’s considerably more work for your system to achieve a consistent temperature throughout the day. It can also lead to a lot of strain on your air conditioner, since it’s repeatedly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your energy bills, it might also result in a shorter life span for your HVAC system.

No matter what, the bigger the difference between your house’s temperature and the outside temperature, the more your air conditioning expenses will be. So, what can you do to stay cool and keep your utility bills low in the summer? Here are our ideas based upon recommendations from the U.S Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.

Six Ways to Enhance Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

  1. Modify Your Thermostat. The DOE states that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees during the time you’re away. During the summer, it’s advised to keep your thermostat at 78 degrees while you’re home and 88 degrees when you’re elsewhere. It’s equally as important to avoid setting your thermostat to a cooler setting than normal when you turn on your AC. This doesn’t actually cool down your home any faster, it just causes bigger utility bills. While these temperatures may appear toasty, there are additional methods to keep comfortable without having to always run the air conditioner.
  2. Utilize Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up the thermostat by only 2 degrees and turning on your ceiling fan can lessen 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 exit the room, turn the fan off to save energy. Additionally, keeping blinds lowered and curtains shut throughout the day helps keep cooler air inside. There are also some window treatments designed to deliver extra insulation and boost energy efficiency.
  3. Properly Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky gaps throughout a home permit conditioned air to rapidly escape and warmer air to get within. This could cause your AC equipment needing to work harder to keep your home comfortable and your utility bills to rise. Make certain that any openings, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are simple fixes for leaks or drafts near windows and doors.
  4. Plan for Regular Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance makes sure your unit is always functioning at its most efficient. This lets our pros to detect little issues before they turn into serious troubles. A clean air conditioner is typically more efficient and might even live for a longer period of time.
  5. Install a Smart Thermostat. One of the greatest methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your daily schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re at home or elsewhere to enhance your energy savings. In fact, ENERGY STAR mentions that a smart thermostat could possibly save you about $180 yearly on HVAC costs.
  6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can anticipate a properly maintained air conditioner to run for 15-20 years. But if you’re frequently calling us for air conditioning repair or your energy bills are rising with no change in thermostat settings, it might be time for a replacement. We supply many energy-efficient air conditioners, including ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without trading comfort.

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with Lanz Furnace and Fireplace

No one enjoys seeing their electricity bill climb during the warmer months. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and costs down this summer, our team can help. Reach us at 608-291-3606 or contact us online today for additional info.