As the heat goes up, so does your energy costs. To keep your cooling costs down you may be asking yourself, is it cheaper to leave your AC on all day in the summer in Monroe?

It’s a common belief that turning your AC on and off throughout the day is inefficient. This is actually a myth.

Keeping your air conditioning running all the time means you’re not using it very efficiently. We suggest setting your thermostat higher when you’re elsewhere, and turning it back down when you come home. You can accomplish this with a programmable thermostat. Or, a smart thermostat can do the job for you.

It’s considerably more taxing for your system to achieve a consistent temperature throughout the day. It can also cause a lot of stress on your equipment, since it’s constantly turning on and off.

So, on top of it increasing your electricity bills, it can also cause a reduced life span for your HVAC system.

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

Six Methods to Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency

1. Adjust Your Thermostat. The DOE says that you can conserve up to 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning up your thermostat 7-10 degrees while you’re away at work. During the summer, it’s recommended to position your thermostat at 78 degrees while 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 usual when you turn on your air conditioner. This doesn’t actually cool off your home any sooner, it just causes bigger electric bills. While these temperatures might appear toasty, there are many methods to keep comfortable without having to constantly run the AC unit.
2. Take Advantage of Fans, Curtains and Blinds. ENERGY STAR says turning up 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 note that fans cool people, not rooms. So, when you leave the room, turn the fan off to be energy efficient. Also, keeping blinds lowered and curtains closed for the duration of the day helps keep conditioned air inside. There are also some window coverings designed to deliver additional insulation and improve energy efficiency.
3. Adequately Seal All Doors, Windows and Openings. Leaky cracks throughout a residence allow for conditioned air to rapidly escape and the heat to get in. This can result in your AC equipment being required to work harder to keep your house cool and your utility bills to increase. Check that any cracks, doors and windows are properly sealed. Caulking or weather-stripping are easy fixes for leaks or drafts around windows and doors.
4. Arrange Annual Maintenance. Scheduling air conditioner maintenance assures that your system is always running at its most efficient. This permits our experts to find little issues before they become significant troubles. A maintained air conditioner is generally more efficient and may even last for a longer period of time.
5. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. One of the best methods to guarantee comfort and cost-effectiveness is with a smart thermostat. This thermostat instinctively adjusts the temperature based on your day-to-day schedule. It works along with your smartphone to notice when you’re in your home or gone to enhance your energy efficiency. In fact, ENERGY STAR says that a smart thermostat could potentially save you about $180 annually on energy costs.
6. Consider Replacing Your Air Conditioner. You can foresee a properly maintained air conditioner to run 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 carry many energy-efficient air conditioners, like ENERGY STAR models that can help you save more on cooling without bargaining comfort.

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

No one wants to see their energy bill climb during the summer. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your energy consumption and bills lower this summer, our pros can help. Give us a call at 608-291-3606 or contact us online right away for extra info.